Conservation Commission. 285 



If a natural pond or lakelet exists, of many acres in extent, an 

 attempt should 'be made to induce the growth of various aquatic 

 plants suitable for duck-food, such as wild celery ( Vallisneria) , 

 wild rice (Zizania), duck weed (Lemna) and pond-weed (Po- 

 tamogeton) . If the pond is very small, or the number of ducks 

 large, such plants will not be able to hold their oAvn, and their 

 introduction will be a waste of time. Of course in ponds that are 

 periodically emptied and cleaned, plant life is impossible. In 

 such cases, green food in some form must be provided, such as 

 finely chopped fresh grass, cabbage or lettuce. 



BREEDING STOCK. 



, And now as to the breeding stock. Pure wild 'birds can be 

 obtained from any of the reliable dealers in live water-fowl, at 

 prices ranging from three dollars to five dollars per pair, accord- 

 ing to the season and the supply. Stock can be obtained of Wenz 

 & Mackensen, Yardley, Pa. ; G. D. Tilley, Darien, Conn. ; J. W. 

 Whealton, Chincoteague Island, Ya. ; Cecil French, Washington, 

 D. C. ; K. C. Beck & Company, Hutchinson, Kansas, and others. 



If the pond and its enclosure is small, one drake to three or four 

 ducks is sufficient. If the pond is of good size, one drake to two 

 ducks is a safer proportion. 



When the birds arrive, they should be confined for at least a day 

 or two in a dry enclosure, until they have recovered from the 

 effects of the journey, and are feeding well. When several days 

 have been spent in transit, the quarantine must be of longer dura- 

 tion. Then, if they are already pinioned, they may be turned 

 upon the pond. In case they are not pinioned, two courses are 

 open. If it is nearly breeding time, the wings should simply be 

 clipped, and the birds liberated, to be caught and pinioned after 

 the laying season. Pinioning at this time might so upset the birds 

 as to very materially affect their laying. If the nesting season is 

 not at hand, the birds should be pinioned at once. 



PINIONING. 



Pinioning is desirable and necessary to keep mallards from 

 flying away; also to render it possible to catch them easily. The 



