On the Rearing of Ducks for Shooting 
area of ponds should be inclosed for their accommodation. When in the course of time they settle down 
to nest, the eggs can be progressively withdrawn to a total representing the first two clutches, while still 
leavinsf the mother bird herself to rear the third and final brood. The cost and labour attendant on 
importing stock from without are wasted if no measures are taken to catch up from time to time the 
captive birds for the purpose of cutting their wings after moulting time, and so ensuring their continued 
residence under the conditions to which they have become resigned. The full benefits of imported stock 
of Teal and other ducks are of a cumulative nature, and become more and more apparent in successive 
years ; but it is impossible to achieve this continuation of results unless the birds which have become 
accustomed to breeding in a state of semi-captivity are constantly rearing young families to whom the 
pond and its surroundings afford the attractions of home. The second and third generations emphasise 
the success of the Netherby system ; for they enjoy full liberty to go and nest where they like, and 
yet they regularly bring back to the ponds and waters which are their home the families which they have 
reared some unknown distance away. 
" Duck-preservation is at the present time running on somewhat unsatisfactory lines, in so far 
that too much attention is being devoted to the Mallard, whilst the more delicate Teal is thought to be 
beyond the skill of ordinary gamekeepers. The Netherby trap, and the experience which is gained in 
using it, gradually develop unexpected possibilities of management which it is difficult to express in print. 
The last and final scene where the traps serve their ultimate purpose is the catching up of ducks for 
shooting days. No greater act of mismanagement can be perpetrated than to disturb the waters which 
have been so carefully inclosed and developed as a sanctuary. If any shooting takes place during daytime, 
when the ducks are peacefully sleeping on the water or on the islands and banks connected with it, they rise 
in one great cloud and take their departure to some neighbouring resort. A better plan, but one which 
involves obvious inconveniences, is to rise at an early hour and post the guns in favoured spots near the 
water, with a view to shooting the ducks as they come home in small parties from their night wanderings. 
The salute which meets them on arrival causes the survivors to take refuge in neighbouring reed-beds and 
other aquatic covert, where they can be visited later. In these conditions a moderate bag may be made, 
and it certainly compares favourably with the insignificant results which follow the disturbance of the 
whole company of ducks during the daytime. 
"There is really only one method by which ducks can be made to give the best shooting. It is 
to release them from suitably selected patches of covert, so that they may fly over the guns when making 
a hasty departure from home. By this means their sanctuary will remain undisturbed, and the survivors 
will placidly settle down to a resumption of the quiet life which they have hitherto enjoyed. A notable 
advantage of the trap method management is that specimens which it is desired to use as breeding stock 
will not be accidentally shot. Suitably managed pools will necessarily contain a certain number of call- 
ducks, especially the half-bred varieties that make such excellent foster-mothers for hatching eggs of less 
domesticated species. The traps, the inclosures, and the sundry other items of management that will 
suggest themselves as the work proceeds will remedy these deficiencies and will incidentally provide 
landowners having a taste for natural history with one of the most interesting hobbies it is possible 
to conceive. Keepers again will be found particularly keen in their desire to master the details of duck 
management, for they know that it is not only the most fashionable department of their profession, but 
that ducks do not give a tithe of the trouble nor are they any more than a tenth of the expense of 
Pheasants. They are practically free from disease, and with the help of migrant additions to their 
number will afford sport up to the commencement of the breeding season." 
Those who are fortunate enough to possess a small estate or even a few acres con- 
taining a stream or small pond, may derive a great deal of pleasure from the keeping of 
both British and foreign waterfowl of various kinds in confinement. If the owner is a wild- 
fowler he is constantly reminded of happy days on the coast by the merry cries of the Teal, 
the Wigeon, and the Mallard if they are on some piece of water near the house, and very 
little trouble or attention is necessary to maintain surface-feeding ducks in perfect health 
and beauty. 
Where there are no foxes ordinary rabbit-netting 3 feet high is all that is necessary 
