CHAPTER XIV 



WILD DUCK 

 By LORD MALISE GRAHAM 



DURING the past few years we have noted the large bags 

 of wild duck it is possible to obtain by careful rearing 

 and good management. Although the number of wild 

 fowl can hardly be said to have decreased, yet there is 

 little doubt that in some marshes where, many years 

 ago, large flocks of wild duck used to collect, there is 

 scarcely one to be seen. The reasons for this are 

 numerous. The most important probably is, that as 

 our population increases, wealthy sportsmen and land- 

 owners are tempted to seek seclusion and build their 

 mansions in far-away spots which have always been the 

 haunt of the wild duck. These birds, being of a shy 

 disposition, seek other pastures, and the only way to 

 lure them back is to breed and rear by hand others 

 which will act as decoys to their more nomadic brethren. 

 At Netherbyand otherplaces, enormous bags have been 

 realised, the size of which would hardly have been 

 credited ten or twelve years ago ; moreover, the trouble 

 taken is well repaid by the excellent sport these birds 

 afford ; and the difficulty involved in killing a really 



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