INTRODUCTION 7 



I have made some experiments with several species 

 of wild ducks by which I ascertained that it is an easy- 

 matter to increase their numbers in places where they 

 are properly looked after. Often I have visited Mr. 

 Edgar and other gamekeepers in order to study their 

 methods of breeding wild fowl, and much of the material 

 for this book was procured on American game farms and 

 preserves. 



I am indebted also to the writers of the English books, 

 to whom I have given credit, and to the writers of nu- 

 merous articles which have appeared from time to time 

 in the English magazines since the discovery was made 

 that the wild fowl can be preserved. The breeding of wild 

 ducks should interest the farmers as well as the sports- 

 men, since many small swamps and waste places can be 

 utilized for profit as well as for sport. Many species of 

 ducks are excellent food, and I have no hesitation in 

 predicting that the best wild ducks soon will be abundant 

 and cheap in our markets. The sportsmen who are will- 

 ing to do something practical should have excellent 

 shooting during a long open season, and it is evident that 

 those who do nothing will be benefitted when the game 

 becomes plentiful, since the game overflows from all 

 places where it is abundant. 



Although the shore birds, or waders, do not lend them- 

 selves to the gamekeepers' art of hand-rearing, they have 

 been found to respond nicely to the protection given to 

 the ducks, and they increase in numbers rapidly when 

 safe nesting and feeding places are provided for them. 

 I have observed the woodcock, snipe, and other waders 

 breeding abundantly on duck preserves where game- 

 keepers are employed to control the natural enemies of 



