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Bird -Lore 



common hen. After these Ducks grew up, one day they joined a flock of 

 their mates, bound for their northern breeding-grounds. In the autumn 

 they returned, with their numbers greatly increased. The Ducks seemed 

 to recognize me, and were glad to get back. I always kept a supply of 

 wheat scattered about the pond for them to feed on. As winter approached, 

 and many flocks were flying south, my Ducks grew somewhat restless and 

 evidently held several protracted mass meetings, to decide on what was best 

 to do. At length quiet prevailed, and the decision seemed to be that it 

 would be very unwise to leave their protector, plenty of good food and an 

 abundance of open water, to take the long, tiresome flight; so they stayed 

 with me all winter, and now remain all the time except during the nesting 

 season. My neighbors, whose grain-fields my Ducks frequently visit, have 

 no great love for them and try to kill them off, but the Ducks are too smart 

 and watchful to suffer much loss." 



A WILD DUCK PRESERVE 



