SAFE AND ATTRACTIVE PRESERVES 29 



ducks. Cat-tails and many other reeds and rushes and 

 willows and briars planted about the margins of ponds 

 all make desirable covers, and trees which bear mast 

 furnish both shade and food. 



In England, where much of the preserving is highly 

 artificial, the reeds and rushes are not always regarded 

 as desirable. 



Mr. De Visme Shaw says: "The great attraction to 

 duck is cover. It gives the birds a sense of security. 

 Mallard — unless kept as tame as farmyard poultry, and 

 not always then — can no more be expected to attach 

 themselves to a bare, open pond than can pheasants be 

 expected to make themselves at home in a locality void 

 of trees and undergrowth. One sees it advised that 

 rushes should be introduced; but, in my own opinion, 

 they are not only unnecessary but undesirable as well; 

 they eventually become a nuisance. 



"As temporary cover, let stout brushwood be used, 

 and plenty of it. It should be thrown down roughly — 

 half in, half out of the water. Against the brushwood 

 plant strong young brambles or well rooted runners. 



"Islands which have been made in the pond are also 

 to have brushwood and brambles upon them. On the 

 north side of the pond there should be a gently shelv- 

 ing bank, gravelled if possible, but otherwise given a 

 hard surface, whereon the ducks may sun themselves 

 and where they are to be fed." 



Briars planted thickly a short distance from a pond 

 form an effective barrier against intruders, including 

 furry vermin and dogs and cats. The reader has ob- 

 served, no doubt, that ducks often frequent that part 

 of a water which is most difficult to approach. The 



