coops. The ducklings when in charge of hens are inclined to 

 stay in the water too long and they often suffer from cramps, 

 and large numbers die when the water and the weather are 

 cold. It is for this reason many duck breeders do not permit 

 the young birds to go near the water until they are old enough 

 to be safely turned out on the ponds. The duck mother will 

 lead her young brood out on the bank after a short swim and 

 will warm them by collecting them under her wings and body 

 on a sunny bank. I have 

 often seen them do this, but 

 the hen, of course, does not 

 go into the water, and she 

 cannot lead the young birds 

 out at the proper time. My 

 experiments lead me to be- 

 lieve that in hot weather, 

 especially when the ducks 

 are hatched late, it is safer 

 to take them to a warm 

 shallow water than it is to 

 attempt to rear them in a 

 very hot field. At the first drop in the thermometer the birds 

 should be removed from the water and a wire should be run 

 between it and the coops to prevent their going to it and catch- 

 ing the cramps. Cold rains with hail are bad for young ducks 

 and they should be shut up during storms. If these matters 

 are properly attended to the rearing of ducks will be found 

 quite easy, since they are almost free from diseases and grow 

 rapidly. After they are well feathered there should be no 

 appreciable losses, provided the natural enemies be well con- 

 trolled and provided the natural foods they secure about the 

 pond be supplemented daily with a meal or two of cracked 

 corn, and later whole corn. 



Canvas-becK 

 Scaup Duck. 

 Wood Duck. 



51 



