247 



Wild Duck. 



incubators, and, although they do well enough from the 

 latter, the better results appear to accrue from broods 

 hatched out under the more natural conditions. The 

 foster-hens employed should be well feathered, compact 

 birds, with clean or scantily -feathered legs. According to 

 the size of the hens, from thirteen to seventeen eggs should 

 be placed under each in separate open-bottomed nesting- 

 boxes possessing plenty of ventilation, but at the same time 

 warm and well protected. The hatching-hens and eggs do 

 not require any special treatment, and if handled as if the 

 eggs were those of pheasants all will be well, provided the 

 eggs are thoroughly but not excessively damped imme- 

 diately before the sitting-hen returns to them after being 

 fed and exercised. The best way of damping the eggs 

 is with a sponge of fine texture, and if the weather be 

 very cold it should be done with water which has stood 

 indoors for a few hours previously. Incubation occupies 

 twenty-eight days, and when the ducklings commence 

 to hatch out a portion of, but not all, the shells should be 

 removed until such time as the whole hatching is complete. 

 The ducklings must be left a few hours with the foster- 

 hen until they have acquired sufficient strength, when they, 

 together with the hen, should be placed in a suitable coop, 

 and removed to the rearing-field. 



Success in wild-duck rearing depends a good deal upon 

 the selection of a suitable and favourable rearing-place. 

 According to the number to be reared at one time so the 

 size must be regulated ; but it is easier to err on the side 

 of too little than too much room. It is customary with 

 some of those who practise the hand-rearing of wild duck 

 to devote a separate pen to each brood; but while the 

 system possesses some apparent advantages, it is not to be 

 recommended where any quantity are reared at one time. 

 Far better results are obtained from the provision of a 



