Wild Duck. 



adoption, even upon quite a small scale. It is remark- 

 able to what an extent wild duck may be introduced and 

 retained upon any such preserves where facilities offer 

 for the practice. 



There are two modes by which wild duck may be estab- 

 lished upon suitable ponds or lakes, where hitherto they 

 have not been in evidence, except in the case of passing 

 birds or occasional ones which may have temporarily 

 taken up their quarters. In the one instance, mature 

 birds are put down under semi-restraint; in the other, 

 wild-duck eggs are hatched and reared under foster-hens, 

 thus forming a nucleus of a future breeding-stock. 



When mature birds are turned down, a few or a 

 quantity are obtained in the necessary proportions of 

 drakes and ducks, and, having been previously pinioned, 

 or had their wings cut, so as to prevent any lengthened 

 flight, they should be turned away during the month of 

 March ; the latter end is preferable, and it is best to put 

 them down in the dusk of the evening, and feed them 

 there and then, after having kept them confined and with- 

 out food from six to eight hours previously. They will 

 then settle down for the night, feeding freely, and remain 

 quiet during the following day. As to the mode of feed- 

 ing and kind of food, these will be dealt with later on. 

 Sufficient to mention that wild ducks should under the 

 circumstances be chiefly, if not wholly, fed at night-time. 

 If left thoroughly undisturbed, the ducks will soon 

 accommodate themselves to the surroundings and nest in 

 due time. Wild ducks lay about twenty-four eggs in a 

 season ; but it is best in the circumstances named not 

 to attempt to collect any eggs, or to hatch out and hand- 

 rear the ducklings, but to leave the birds turned down to 

 their own resources. 



The chief consideration when it is desired to rear wild 



