Practical Game-Preserving. 254 



young stock, it will be advisable to devote some attention 

 to these matters, and the nature and position of the water 

 to which their removal has to be made. 



Before the removal of the ducklings to water is effected, 

 it is necessary that, where a choice of water exists, the 

 most suitable for the purpose should be chosen. Speak- 

 ing generally, almost any sufficiently extensive piece of 

 water is suitable where the ducks will make themselves 

 at home; but, in view of the semi- artificial conditions 

 under which they are being reared, it is necessary to avoid 

 certain disabilities which may occur, and provide for 

 certain necessary conditions. 



Stagnant pools are quite unsuitable. The water need 

 not be very clear and clean, nor need it possess a decided 

 flow. It may be a large pond, small lake, or a stretch of a 

 slowly-running stream. A brook, if large enough, will 

 suffice, or any small stream of water may be dammed 

 back so as to form a pond or a small lake. It is necessary, 

 however, that the banks upon which the coops with the 

 young ducks are to be placed should be shelving and dry ; 

 that is, not spongy, soaking up the water and holding it. 

 Nor is it advisable that the water should possess a heavy 

 muddy bottom. To a reasonable extent the bottom should 

 be somewhat muddy ; but this should rest upon a solid 

 foundation, and the water be of varying depths, from a 

 few inches to a foot or so over a material portion of its 

 extent. If the bottom be gravelly at places such as the 

 intake and outflow, or at the sides, so much the better. A 

 border of rushes, flags, and reeds of healthy growth is a 

 great desideratum ; whilst a fringe of willows, or other 

 healthy waterside-growing trees, is also of the most 

 material benefit. 



It will be observed that in the selection or arrangement 

 of the expanse of water, cover for the ducklings, freedom 



