134 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



which is often known as "gray mallard," is the common 

 resident wild duck breeding in Eastern districts. It is of a 

 naturally shyer disposition than the mallard, and does not 

 breed as readily in captivity. Black ducks, however, fre- 

 quently breed when enclosed in a good-sized marsh or swamp, 

 with plenty of low cover, preferably from two to four acres, 

 and given almost absolute privacy. Ordinarily wild stock 

 will not breed under "civilized" conditions which satisfy 

 the mallard and the wood duck. It seems to fail to breed 

 largely because of its shyness, though perhaps partly from 

 lack of certain food elements. 



The Pintail. The pintail is a good example of individual 

 difference in closely related species. It is very docile in 

 captivity, and apparently comes next to the mallard and 

 wood duck, among native species, in readiness to breed. It 

 needs, however, a little special treatment, especially in the 

 way of natural marsh and grass, for "grazing" and catching 

 insects, supplemented by receiving artificially more animal 

 and other stimulating food. This species, I believe, is des- 

 tined to become one of the most popular wild ducks to prop- 

 agate. 



Two Main Difficulties. Clearly the two main obstacles 

 to successful breeding of wild waterfowl are, first, lacks in 

 natural food elements conducive to fertility, and, secondarily, 

 docility or mental state. The latter is usually overcome 

 after a period of captivity, but the other is the real problem. 



Mental State. That docility, or mental state, is also an 

 important factor is shown by the fact, recognized by breeders 

 of wildfowl here and abroad, that young hand-reared stock 

 is almost sure to breed under proper conditions. The main 

 practical need is to get started stocks of hand-reared young 

 birds of the various species, which would tend to breed more 

 and more readily through successive generations. In time, 



