124 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



the adult tree ducks, from Mexico and farther south, are 

 hardy enough to stand the cold, their full-grown young, 

 which he raises, sometimes die in severe cold snaps, even in 

 the house. Other kinds stand the cold quite well. 



Of course a house might be arranged so it could be warmed 

 slightly in severe weather, but ordinarily this is unnecessary, 

 and such coddHng, except for the few tender species, is liable 

 to be overdone, and to make the stock less hardy. Every- 

 thing depends upon local conditions whether shelter is 

 necessary. It is always well, however, to have near the 

 shore some covered frames or evergreen thatch, in case the 

 fowl should need to use them. 



Securing Stock. Stock should be obtained in late fall or 

 early winter, if the birds are to breed the following season. 

 At this season dealers can usually supply moderate numbers 

 of various kinds of ducks and geese. Mallards are cheapest, 

 from $3 to $4 a pair, pintails and black ducks a little higher, 

 other kinds ranging up to $15 or $18 a pair, and occasionally 

 more. Most of the native stock, except mallards and wood 

 ducks, consists of adult birds captured wild, which are much 

 harder to breed than birds raised in captivity. Eggs of wild 

 ducks hatch well in incubators or under hens or tame ducks, 

 and the young of most kinds are not hard to raise when one 

 knows how. All such enterprises should be conducted un- 

 der lawful regulation, securing more adequate legislation, if 

 such be needed. 



Monogamy vs. Polygamy. Ducks in the wild state are 

 normally monogamous, so in purchasing stock even numbers 

 of males and females should be secured. A seeming excep- 

 tion is in the case of the mallard. The ordinary stock is 

 distinctly polygamous, and can be bred three to five females 

 to one drake. This is in common with domesticated breeds 

 of ducks. I am inclined to believe that all mallards which 



