CHAPTER XII 



WATER-FOWL 



After the gallinaceous birds the water-fowl are next in 

 economic importance. Over their more prolific rivals they 

 have the advantage of extreme hardiness and general free- 

 dom from sickness. Both ducks and geese have long been 

 thoroughly domesticated, as is evidenced by the many well- 

 differentiated breeds. Swans, too, have become well ac- 

 customed to captivity, but have shown no tendency to varia- 

 tion. Only the wild species will be considered here. 



In common with other game birds, the water-fowl now 

 are receiving a large share of the attention of the propa- 

 gator. Much has been learned concerning their care and 

 management, but the problem of breeding many species is 

 still unsolved. This being the case, the amateur has an 

 extra incentive, for he is as likely to reach the solution as is 

 the worker on a larger scale. 



As in pheasant-keeping, water- fowl culture is divided into 

 two groups. While the treatment of the birds in large 

 preserves is essentially the same as that practised by the 

 veriest amateur, the details necessarily vary. We shall con- 

 fine ourselves here to the management of the smaller enter- 

 prise. 



Of the water-fowl (Anseriformes), there are about two 

 hundred and seventy-five species, which may be divided 

 roughly into the ducks, geese and swans. Practically all of 

 the forms may be kept in captivity with a considerable degree 

 of success. Most are perfectly hardy, but a few, such as 

 the Tree Ducks, require warmth in winter. 



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