22 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
“©On the day previous to hatching, the hen is twice fed in this 
manner, in order that she may not be disturbed during hatching.” 
‘ For twelve hours the hen and ducklings are left undisturbed on 
the nest, during which time the young birds are engaged in assimilating the 
yolk of the egg which has been absorbed into their system. After this 
lapse of time the hen aud her brood are placed in a rearing box of which 
the larger half forms a run for the ducklings, while the mother is confined 
in the smaller compartment, divided off by bars.” 
“Food for young Mandarins.—I give them in a shallow dish (or 
ittle sardine tin), Vermicelli which has been scalded by being thrown into 
boiling water, and with sufficient liquid (cold) left round it to enable the 
birds to swallow easily. In a similar dish or tin I give them a good supply 
of duckweed and water.” 
‘Tt is desirable to arrange the food dish in such a manner that 
the bird cannot paddle in and dirty it. The ducklings should also be 
supplied with small earth worms.” 
‘© When the birds are eight days old I add to this bill of fare ants 
and their eggs.” 
“At this age they may, for the first time, be allowed to bathe, 
which they can do in a small quantity of shallow water, which should have 
duckweed added to it.” 
“ At six weeks old the ducklings are pinioned, and when they begin 
to moult and assume the adult plumage, I redouble attention and supply 
extra food of a nourishing character, such as Vermicelli, &c., to them for 
a week.” 
‘*At two months old, or even earlier, they will eat small wheat, 
or larger grain may be crushed and given to them in a saucer of water.” 
In rearing the ducklings of any ornamental breed it 
will be found desirable as stated above to confine the young 
brood within limits for the first fortnight of their existence, 
otherwise they may die of cramp if the water be cold, or 
fall a prey to rats, eels, or pike, which often do great havoc 
among young waterfowl. ‘lhe first food for newly-hatched 
ducklings may, in my opinion, be eggs boiled hard, crumbled 
bread mixed with chopped lettuce or duckweed, which is 
better ; oatmeal and curds well pressed and finely crumbled 
are excellent as a change of food. 
Barley meal, Spratt’s Food, and other patent meals may 
