2 6 3 



Wild Duck 



easily shot at one time ; but, as said before, the number of 

 ducks lost through the practice renders it wholly wasteful. 

 When seeking birds for the table the wildest should be shot 

 first those, that is, which being most timid first rise from 

 the water. As a rule, they are outside birds, but in any 

 case afterwards it is necessary to pick off single out- 

 side birds, and never to fire into the thick of them. 



As regards the shooting of wild duck for sport, it is 

 only necessary to observe that this part of the subject lies 

 outside the scope of this work. 



From almost the moment when they are hatched wild 

 ducklings are exposed to the attacks of their natural 

 enemies, and even when mature they require protection 

 from certain kinds of vermin. Unless means are taken to 

 prevent the ravages of both furred and feathered vermin, 

 continued losses are sure to result ; whilst unless the 

 culprits are caught and killed, they are sure to return 

 again and again until very serious damage is caused. 



The worst enemies of wild ducklings are rats, and it is 

 necessary to protect the foster-hens whilst sitting, other- 

 wise these vermin are quite likely to make their way to 

 the eggs, and maybe kill the hens and carry off more or 

 less of the clutch. When the youngsters are born, the 

 closed runs, with which the coops should be provided, 

 serve as protection ; but even then rats may burrow under 

 them to obtain the ducklings. It will be necessary to 

 watch carefully for evidence of their presence, and steel 

 traps should be put down for them wherever they may 

 leave signs of having tried to enter the coops or make 

 their way into the runs. 



The fact that the rearing-field must be enclosed with 

 very small-mesh wire-netting will to a certain extent keep 

 off rats and other small furred vermin, such as stoats and 

 weasels ; but the former soon learn to climb over. If, 



