2 6i Wild Duck. 



these birds may find counter-attractions at neighbouring 

 waters, and may occasionally develop a tendency to leave 

 their own. In time some of the ducks may do so 

 permanently, and thus gradually draw off others. It is 

 but rarely, however, that this occurs, but when the 

 tendency to do so exists, the retaining presence of the 

 pinioned birds will invariably prevent anything of the 

 kind. 



During the winter months care must be taken to keep 

 the water open for the ducks should anything in the form 

 of severe frost occur. It is not only necessary that the ice 

 should be broken, but that it should also be removed from 

 the expanse of water which it is desired to keep open, as 

 with ice floating upon it, not only does it freeze more 

 quickly, but at times ducks will get frozen in between it. 

 As a rule, they know enough to leave the water when ice 

 is forming quickly, but it is not unusual for some of the 

 hand-reared ones to become caught. Free water is, more- 

 over, most essential for them, and if it be not kept open 

 the duck will go to water which is so maintained. For 

 the purposes of clearing out the ice, a suitable ice-rake is 

 necessary, and should be provided beforehand. The 

 space of water to be kept open must be cleared of ice 

 when the birds are fed at night, and again in the morning 

 if any should have formed. The presence of a number of 

 pinioned birds by daytime is also serviceable at times, as 

 by swimming about and entering and leaving the water 

 they prevent ice from forming. 



Except in the case of wild duck which are kept for a 

 special purpose on ornamental waters, it is not advisable 

 to erect anything in the way of shelters for them. Where 

 wild duck are retained permanently, the shelter may take 

 the form of a semi-open shed, erected partially over the 

 water and partially upon the bank. The sides should not 



