CONSERVATION OF GAME BIRDS. 



579 



Wood Ducks and Black Ducks are fond of this pondweed and it 

 grows commonly in some of the ponds of Massachusetts. The 

 widgeon grass of the south Atlantic coast of the United States 

 is quite a different plant, — the ditch grass {Ruppia maritima). 

 The sago pondweed (P. pectinatus) (Fig. 25) appears to be the 

 most important duck food, and in some cases it forms from 

 sixty to eighty per cent, of the food of the Canvas-back. It 

 is known sometimes as fox- 

 tail grass. It is a submerged 

 plant, like the other pond- 

 weeds, and, like them, bears 

 small clusters of seeds or 

 nutlets near the surface. 

 They are formed somewhat 

 like little bunches of grapes. 

 They ripen at different 

 times, but in the north 

 may be looked for after 

 August. Figs. 25 and 26 

 show the threadlike leaves, 

 the slender rootstocks and 

 the tubers. 



Pondweeds may be 

 planted by mowing them 

 with the seeds attached and 

 scattering them about the 

 lake; or the seeds may be 

 collected and sown broadcast or in clay balls. A mud bottom 

 is preferable, but sago pondweed and redhead grass (P. per- 

 Joliatus) (Fig. 2, Plate XXXV) will grow in sand. Some 

 species, including sago pondweed, will grow in brackish or 

 even salt water. They will do well in water from two to six 

 feet deep. They may be planted immediately after gathering, 

 or the seed may be kept in cold storage until spring. 



Deer, moose and cattle are rather fond of wild rice. Rails, 

 Bobolinks and Blackbirds eat the seed. Muskrats eat and 

 tear up all these plants. Some fish eat them, but the German 

 carp is the most destructive of all agencies. It absolutely 



Fig. 25. — Sago pondweed, a very important duck 

 food. (Reduced.) (From Sunset Magazine, 

 February, 1905.) 



