Practical Game-Preserving. 250 



manner as the progeny of the domesticated duck all must 

 be well. It has been found, however, that such is not the 

 case, and that special food is necessary. There is no 

 doubt that such special food is best obtained from those 

 recognised firms who, after careful experiment, under 

 expert advice, have produced meal particularly suited to 

 the purpose. In the end this food always proves cheaper 

 than any which the amateur may make up at home, and, 

 both on this score and that of merit, is best suited for 

 adoption. 



It must be remembered that ducklings, wild or tame, 

 possess voracious appetites, and require frequent and 

 plentiful feeding. The food provided for the first two or 

 three weeks should consist of one or other of the special 

 wild-duck meals supplied by those firms who prepare them. 

 The meal must at first be given in a crumbly condition, 

 and slightly warm from the scalding with boiling water 

 which it requires. As a rule, this meal by itself is con- 

 sidered sufficient ; but it is preferable, however, to supple- 

 ment it with the addition of chopped hard-boiled egg, or, 

 what is better, a properly-prepared custard, made in the 

 manner recommended for pheasants. There are some 

 disadvantages attaching to hard-boiled egg, which, unless 

 given exactly fresh, is liable to produce ill-effects. It is 

 not necessary to detail them, as the custard I recommend 

 obviates anything of the kind. 



The ducklings should be fed four or five times a day 

 for the first fortnight. They should be let out about an 

 hour after daylight, and receive their first meal then, 

 the others following at intervals of three, extending to 

 four, hours. Of course, the time when they are liberated 

 must depend upon the state of the weather ; but, provided 

 it is fine and the rearing-field of suitable pasture, the 

 sooner they are out and about the better. Naturally, for 



