CHAPTER IX 

 WILD DUCKS 



a. Methods with Adults 



Delight of Breeding Wildfowl. The keeping and breeding 

 of various species of wild waterfowl, especially wild ducks, 

 is one of the most fascinating of all forms of applied orni- 

 thology. Usually these wildfowl are considered so exceed- 

 ingly shy that nothing more can be expected than a distant 

 glimpse as the flock, keenly alive to approaching danger, 

 springs from the pond or marsh, and swiftly vanishes into 

 the gathering gloom of the evening sky. The high passing 

 wedge of wild geese, heralded by weird honkings, as in early 

 spring it passes poleward, seems a thing of mystery, almost 

 like a glimpse from the spirit-world. Yet these same fright- 

 ened ducks can be made to swim trustingly and happily 

 before one on the little pond, and those wild geese to breed 

 contentedly in the farmer's meadow and eat corn at his feet. 



Feasibility. The simplicity of the keeping of wildfowl is 

 one of the delightful surprises in store, though it must 

 be borne in mind that there will be failure unless certain 

 fundamental principles are carefully carried out. About all 

 that is needed is a httle pond or brook, especially in a qmet, 

 sheltered place and with some marshy groimd, perhaps a 

 simple open-front poultry-shed, and a cheap wire fence. 

 The food also is simple and easy to provide. It is easy to 

 maintain the birds in health, when properly handled, for 



