THE OOLOGIST 27 
purely ornimental purposes. Our 
theory of it is that if we can domesti- 
cate the various North American wild 
fowl, they will last forever; they will 
become a source of national wealth 
and of added meat supply; they will 
be ornamental and will be preserved 
from utter extinction. 
Thinking perhaps some of our ex- 
periments along this line would be of 
interest, we have given over this num- 
ber of THE OOLOGIST largely to the 
proposition of North American Wild 
Fow!] in confinement. 
In order to keep such birds in con- 
finement, it is proper and in some 
places necessary to get the consent of 
the local game warden. Then pre- 
pare a place where there is plenty of 
shade and plenty of room and some 
water, The small quantity of water 
with which a duck or goose can get 
along is surprising, and nearly all 
species, with proper surroundings will 
nest in confinement. 
In the winter it is necessary, when- 
ever the mercury goes below zero, to 
keep your birds dry; give them nothing 
but drinking water, and do not allow 
them to get wet or even damp, Fur- 
nish them with a little artificial heat; 
in fact we turn on heat whenever the 
mercury reaches ten degrees above 
zero; though this is not necessary. 
Supply the pond ducks, mallards, teal, 
gadwalls, widgeons and the like with 
a wide grassy slough if possible and 
shallow water in summer, the deep 
water ducks, canvas back, red heads, 
blue bills and allied races with a pool 
or tank sunk into the ground at least 
two feet deep. Give the wood ducks if 
a small running stream- with one or - 
two pocls in it a couple of feet deep. 
In summer the geese must all have 
water at least two feet deep. One of 
the main reasons why it has been 
nearly impossible heretofore to raise 
wild fowl in confinement is that those 
who have undertaken jt did not un- 
derstand that cur North American 
wild ducks and geese with but few ex- 
ceptions will nct breed unless it is in 
the water. They must have water 
deep encugh for this purpose. It is 
commicn practise to take the eggs from 
the old birds and set them under a 
chicken hen. This is all well enough 
if you keep your birds where they are 
not secluded; but if they have a place 
which is secluded, leave them alone; 
they will hatch their own eggs. But 
do not forget the more seclusion they 
have, the longer it. will take you to 
get rid of their wild nature; this can 
only be gotten rid of by continuous 
contact with man, and by kindness and 
selective breeding; selecting out of 
each brood annually the quietest and 
tamest birds, and putting them by 
themselves : 
We are presenting herewith a num- 
ber of half tones showing the general 
manner of keeping wild fowl in con- 
finement, and the pleasure to be de- 
rived therefrom. Certainly they are 
among the most decorative birds that 
can be found upon a country place. 
As to feed, if you have a natural 
marsh which is large enough, they re- 
quire but little feed in the summer; 
otherwise they must have ground feed, 
mixed grains, some charcoal, and some 
dried beef scraps cr dried blood in 
abcut the same proportion, that the 
same is fed to pheasants, besides plen- 
ty of green feed clover, grass, cab- 
bage, etc. 
2 ee Ee 
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