20 BULLETIN 672, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
supply attracting the ducks apparently is found in the seed heads of 
the tules or rushes and other similar growth found with them that 
cover great areas. Draining the marshes at this season should not 
affect these growths, as the water table will not be lowered far 
enough to deprive them entirely of water. It is true that it will 
destroy the leaves and plants of the potato moss (Potamogeton 
pectinatus), as this is entirely an aquatic growth. Tubers of this plant 
will often remain, however, and it is largely upon these that the ducks 
feed. In normal circumstances, where water stands in the marshes 
all summer, hunters usually attract the ducks to certain parts of the 
marsh by baiting with grain. 
At the mouth of the Weber River it may be possible to remedy 
some of the existing conditions by improved drainage. The North 
Channel in summer is marked by shallow pools with very slight 
current, while at either side are smaller bodies of water entirely shut 
off. It is in these that the ducks die. The South Channel has 
higher banks and runs directly through the flats; in summer it carries 
drainage from the irrigation canals. As has been stated, no sick 
ducks are found along its course. Ditching the course of the North 
Channel and drawing the water from the shallow pools might aid 
conditions here, as it would leave less of the dangerous area for 
birds to use. 
On Bear River it is not practicable to use these methods of drain- 
age, because the areas involved are too great and because the land 
is too near the level of the lake to permit concentrating the water 
in canals. 
CURE OF SICK BIRDS. 
Birds with the duck sickness recover in a short time (unless too 
far gone) when placed on water that is moderately fresh. A large 
number of ducks were cured by this means at the field laboratory 
on Bear River, and it has been proved that recovery is permanent. 
In past years men have been employed to gather and bury the dead 
birds on the marshes. If they were set to work gathering the sick 
birds and bringing them in, a large number of ducks could be saved at 
comparatively small expense. This method is one that is strongly 
recommended for bettering conditions among the waterfowl in severe 
outbreaks in Utah and elsewhere. 
In the course of the present investigation 1,211 individuals belong- 
ing to the seven species of ducks most severely affected were treated 
in this manner. Of these 284 died and 927 recovered. Among the 
ducks treated were a large number of very weak birds that were 
so far along that ordinarily they would have been disregarded. 
Ehminating these, the ratio of recovery was about 90 per cent of 
those brought in. Table I shows the number and percentage of 
recoveries and deaths among individuals treated in the seven impor- 
tant species affected. 
