WILD DUCKS 165 



kept short. Evidently they oil themselves, and the time 

 they are allowed in the water is gradually extended. 



Another element in this theory is that by dabbling about 

 and sucking mud and water through their bills, the duck- 

 lings secure some food element which is important, such as 

 minute larvae, infusoria, and other insect life. This I know, 

 that Mr. Manross raises almost everyone of his annual brood 

 of wood ducks practically without feeding them. The little 

 artificial pond in the factory yard is only some 25 feet in 

 diameter. A little grain scattered on the shore for the old 

 birds is the only artificial feeding. The young do not touch 

 it till they are well grown, and live on what they pick up in 

 this small body of water. 



Method with Pan. The soundness of Mr. Evans's theory 

 and method was proved abundantly to me by more than 

 600 young wood ducks nearly grown which I saw on his 

 place in August, 1914. He considers that he has only just 

 begun to raise them. He says that if there is no suitable 

 marsh available, the following method will answer. Place 

 in the enclosure a good-sized baking-pan. In it lay green 

 turf, grass side up, and fill it with water just a little over the 

 roots of the grass. This prevents the young from getting wet 

 above, but keeps them busy " sucking mud" and nibbling 

 green vegetation. The pan can be removed when it is not 

 best for them to bathe. This method with the pan was also 

 habitually employed by Lockwood and Cox, and by others. 

 During the first few days some fill in the pan with pebbles, 

 to keep the little ducklings mostly out of the water, so 

 they can get only their bills in, and gradually remove the 

 pebbles as they grow older, later substituting quite a deep 

 pan. 



Avoid Chill. The main thing in allowing young ducks 

 access to water is to do it with discretion and plan things so 



