THE DUCK SICKNESS IN UTAH. 23 
in separate inclosures from those that are strong and able to move 
about, otherwise they will be trampled and injured. Weak birds 
as they grow strong may be transferred to other pens. Birds (espe- 
cially drakes) that are nearly well often attack those still helpless 
and injure them severely. The writer has found that gadwalls in 
particular are bad in this respect. Ducks that have had the rump 
torn open by gulls or ravens recover readily, but must be kept away 
from strong individuals, or they will be attacked and killed. 
When ducks have fully recovered they may be released. Usually 
their cure is complete in a week or 10 days. Spoonbills should be 
released as soon as possible, as often they do not do well on a grain 
diet. On Bear River they were set free as soon as they began to 
attempt to use their wings. In many cases birds are unable to fly 
far when first released, but these ducks seem to regain the use of their 
wings in a short time and ultimately recover completely. Some, 
though strong, become unafraid and linger near the duck pens, 
returning morning and evening when the captive ducks are fed. 
The feathers of wild ducks seem to lose their ability to shed water 
in a very short time. This is true in the dry climate of Utah, at least. 
Even in the case of strong birds this oiliness is lost in three or four 
hours of confinement in a boat, so that sick birds placed in the pens 
become soaked through at once as they swim and dive in the water. 
Weak birds should be watched, as sometimes they become so water- 
soaked that they drown. Fairly strong birds are able to come out on 
the bank after a wetting and dry out their feathers and preen, after 
which they have no further trouble. Late in September, when the 
nights were cold and there were heavy frosts, the writer found it best 
to confine sick birds brought in late in the afternoon or evening in 
small pens placed in the grass until the following morning. When 
put in at night, they became wet and soaked and were unable to 
dry themselves, so that many died from cold. When placed in the 
water about 9 o'clock the following morning, they became wet but 
were able to dry themselves in the sun, after which there was little 
danger of loss from this cause. 
The recovery made by weak birds was often surprising. Birds abso- 
lutely helpless and unable to support their heads frequently became 
well and strong again when given proper care. These weak indi- 
viduals were cared for best in dry pens in the grass or in large trays 
placed on the floor in the laboratory. Each individual was given a 
small quantity of water three times a day by means of a long glass 
funnel or a medicine dropper. The funnel or dropper was placed well 
down the throat, to prevent water from penetrating the windpipe. 
In many cases these birds gradually became stronger until they were 
able to move about, when they were transferred to the stock pens 
with the other ducks. Pintails especially showed remarkable vitality, 
