WILDFO WLING 307 



Feeding 



As so much good sport can be got without the 

 trouble of artificial feeding, the custom is not often 

 followed, but those who care to try it will find that 

 barley and potato refuse make the most appetising 

 meals for wild duck, although oats, or, indeed, grain 

 of any sort, will serve the purpose. If feeding is 

 resorted to, the ground should be "fed" for three 

 or four nights before a shot is fired, so as to allow 

 the birds to become accustomed to it. Care should 

 be taken not to place the food in hollows where the 

 duck, if they alight unseen, cannot be shot. The most 

 likely spot for natural feeding is just where a burn 

 empties into a loch, and artificial feeding in the near 

 neighbourhood may often be conducive to good 

 results. 



The Best Season 



The best months for duck-flighting will usually 

 be found to be November, December, and January, 

 although the season varies a little in some districts. 

 One of the chief interests and excitements in this 

 class of sport is the variety of birds that may be 

 killed before the " flighter " realises what he has 

 " loosed off" at. Of course, such visitors (and they 

 are frequent) as teal, widgeon, and plover herald their 

 approach long ere one can give them the welcome 

 -hail!" 



