,transcrib]'s ,note  ,! punctuation &   
spell+ f ! orig9al text h be5 fai?fully 
pres]v$4 ,only obvi\s typographical     
errors h be5 correct$4   ,,wild ,,ducks 
,illu/ration3 ,w4,l4 ,colls4 ,ph4 ,sc4  
,! ,fleet at ,flight "t4       ,,wild   
,,ducks    ,,h[ ,,to ,,re> ,,& ,,%oot   
,,!m    ,,by    ,,capta9 ,w4 ,,coape    
,,oates    ,,) #d ,,photogravure        
,,plates ,,f ,,draw+s   ,,by ,g4,e4     
,,lodge1 ,,& #ab ,,illu/rations   ,,f   
,,photographs    ,,longmans1 ,,gre51 ,,&
 ,,co4   #ci ,,pat]no/] ,,r[1 ,,london  
,,new ,,york ,,& ,,bombay   #aije       
,all rights res]v$       ,,to    ,,my   
,,wife     ,,preface   ,! ma9 object (  
?is book is to assi/ ^? :o are anxi\s to
 re> wild ducks on economical l9es4 ,!  
,au?or is n )\t hope t ! pages :i* x    
conta9s may ev5 be ( "s use to old h&s  
at ! game4     ,,cont5ts     ,,*ap4     
,,page      ,i4 ,,selection ,,( ,,/ock  
,,& ,,_! ,,home      #ac     ,,ii4      
,,lay+ ,,& ,,sitt+                      
#be    ,,iii4 ,,hat*+ ,,& ,,re>+        

#da     ,,iv4 ,,%oot+                   
#fa     ,,li/ ,,( ,,illu/rations        
,,photogravure ,,plates    ,f ,draw+s by
 ,g4,e4 ,,lodge    ,,! ,,fleet ,,at     
,,flight ,,"t      ,frontispiece    ,,on
 ,,gu>d                     ,to face p4 
#be    ,a ,,tidy ,,"m                   
#cc    ,,q ,,tall ,,en\gh               
#fa     ,,f ,,photographs    ,,com+ ,,9 
,,to ,,fe$                         #af  
,,! ,,cage                              
#bj    ,,! ,,re>+ ,,paddock             
#da    ,a ,,small ,,run                 
#df    ,,w>e ,,wire6                    
#dh    ,,wir$ ,,9 ,,on ,,! ,,wat]       
#ea    ,,an ,,ineffective ,,cripple     
,,/opp]            #fd    ,,be=e ,,!    
,,ev5+ ,,meal                   #fg     
,a ,,"r ,,& ,,left                      
#fi    ,,at ,,! ,,end ,,( ,,! ,,day     
#gj    ,,com+ ,,on ,a ,,side ,,w9d      
#gc    ,,ladies ,,9 ,,wait+             
#gd     ,,selection ,,( ,,/ock ,,& ,,_! 
,,home     ,,wild ,,ducks     ,,*apt] ,i
  ,,selection ,,( ,,/ock ,,& ,,_! ,,home

   ,! fir/ po9t to be decid$ by !       
w\ld-be own] ( wild-f[l is ! locality   
:]e he int5ds to turn d[n 8 /ock4       
,wild-f[l c und\bt$ly be re>$ f> f any  
l>ge piece ( wat]1 b ,i am /rongly (    
op9ion t birds d bett] on a good-siz$   
/ret* ( wat] ) a /ream runn+ into x &   
out ( x4 ,giv5 ^! advantages1 ! runn+   
wat] mu/ be con/antly br++ a fre% supply
 ( food1 especially aft] a fall ( ra9   
suffici5tly heavy to cause a rise (     
wat]2 fur!r1 if ! /ream :i* runs out (  
our lake empties itself into a l>ge     
riv]1 ! latt] w1 :5 x floods or rises   
rapidly1 cause our /ream to back up &   
br+ 9 a fur!r supply ( food f ! ma9     
riv]4  ,"s morn+ ! ducks are abs5t f _! 
accu/om$ haunts1 & if we walk up to !   
spot :]e ! /ream ent]s ! lake1 t5 to "o 
we %all f9d our birds !re ?or\ghly      
enjoy+ "s duck-we$ or o!r food swept d[n
 by a rise 9 ! wat]4  ,?is supply ( fre%
 food is a gratify+ s\rce ( economy to !
 gra9 bill at ! end ( ! ye>1 & x is mo/ 
fasc9at+ to wat* ! birds /&+ on _! heads

 9 _! endeav\rs to rea* ?is *ange (     
diet4  ,ano!r great advantage1 too1 is t
 a f> high] p]c5tage ( f]tile eggs w be 
obta9$ if ! ducks h a l>ge piece ( wat] 
at _! disposal4  ,giv5 ^! advantages1 x 
is1 h[ev]1 mo/ necess>y = ! birds to h  
"s %elt] ne> ! lake1 bo? z a protection 
aga9/ ! wea!r & to s]ve z suitable ne/+ 
places4  ,no?+1 = in/ance1 c\ld be bett]
 ?an a /acky>d or paddock 9 ! vic9ity ( 
! wat]1 & if ! paddock is b\nd$ by a    
flood bank or tall h$ge1 giv+ %elt] f ! 
prevail+ w9d1 s mu* ! bett]4  ,ducks    
love to ne/ 9 /acks1 & ,i h kn[n a      
p9ion$ bird "w h] way up ! side ( a /ack
 & make h] ne/ fifte5 feet f ! gr\nd4 ,9
 /acks birds c burr[ s deep t no wea!r1 
h[ev] inclem5t1 c damage ! eggs4        
,ou?\ses too are v fav\rite places =    
ducks to lay 92 also old /ick heaps & ! 
bottom ( ?ick h$ges4 ,my ma9 po9t is    
?is1 t if y take ! tr\ble to regul>ly   
fe$ y\r wild ducks morn+ & ev5+ & keep  
!m quiet1 y w soon f9d t y c get !m to  
lay :]e y want !m to lay1 & ! places y  

select w naturally be ^? :]e !y are     
secure1 or ne>ly s1 f _! natural        
enemies1 su* z rats1 cats1 weasels1     
moles1 & o!r v]m94  ,?is is ! fir/      
secret ( success4  ,i h se5 wild ducks s
 tame t )9 a =tnight f ! "t !y fir/ jo9$
 my own birds !y 7 eat+ maize close to  
my feet4  ,hav+ obta9$ my piece ( wat] &
 decid$ on ! spot :]e ,i mean to fe$ my 
birds1 ! next /ep is to get ! bre$+     
/ock4  ,i consid] t ! be/ "t to pur*ase 
! /ock is ,decemb]1 z ?is gives ample "t
 = ! birds to pair & get us$ to _!      
surr\nd+s be=e ! bre$+ season comm5ces2 
"o is almo/ sure to get "s cold wea!r 9 
,janu>y1 & ! cold w make ! birds m      
dep5d5t on ! food giv5 to !m1 & !re=e m 
easily manag$4  ,next z to ! /ock & :]e 
to get x4  ,i advise y to obta9 y\r     
birds f diff]5t places1 two or ?ree     
birds f ea* place1 tak+ c>e to get      
fairly "y birds1 & n old] ?an1 say1 two 
ye>s4 ,by ?is means y w get a c]ta9     
am\nt ( *ange ( blood1 p>ticul>ly dur+ !
 second season1 :5 ! diff]5t broods1 :i*

 h be5 well mix$ at hat*+ "t1 pick _!   
mates & bre$4  ,illu/ration3 ,,com+ ,,9 
,,to ,,fe$  ,i believe t ?is me?od is m 
satisfactory ?an buy+ eggs 9 ! fir/     
in/ance1 z 9 ! latt] case y _c tell =   
c]ta9 h[ long ! eggs y pur*ase h be5    
laid1 nor :at ! birds are l :i* laid !m4
 ,we next come to ! "q ( ! proportion ( 
drakes to ducks4 ,on a small piece (    
wat]1 "o drake to e ?ree ducks w d v    
well1 b if y h at y\r disposal a l>ge   
lake1 ,i am /rongly 9 fav\r ( pl5ty (   
drakes1 say fifte5 drakes to e tw5ty    
ducks4 ,mo/ ( ! birds w pair1 ?\gh      
occasionally "o f9ds z _m z ?ree drakes 
pay+ c\rt to "o duck1 & "o drake tak+   
away two or ev5 ?ree ducks4  ,x w       
g5]ally be f\nd1 h[ev]1 t if any ( y\r  
ducks are )\t mates1 wild birds w soon  
come & pair ) !m1 & ?is is1 ( c\rse1 j  
:at y want4 ,i h adopt$ ?is pr9ciple =  
"s "t1 & practically all ! eggs collect$
 are f]tile4 ,x w be f\nd t at          
times--p>ticul>ly :il/ ! ducks are      
sitt+--! drakes are a great nuisance1 b 

at ?is p]iod "o c always cat* !m & %ut  
!m up4  ,! next po9t to be consid]$ is z
 to :at food is be/ = bre$+ birds1 & ,i 
say unhesitat+ly maize4 ,!re is         
practically no wa/e1 & y h n !          
mortification ( see+ cr[ds ( sp>r[s     
swoop d[n on y\r ducks' food z y turn   
away4  ,bett] /ill1 ducks lay capitally 
on maize1 & y may calculate on obta9+ an
 av]age ( tw5ty-?ree to tw5ty-f\r eggs  
apiece f y\r ducks if f$ c>efully4  ,y w
 f9d t /range ducks :5 !y fir/ jo9 y\r  
own w n eat maize1 ?\gh !y soon take to 
x :5 !y see y\r own birds fe$+4  ,x is  
easy to tell ! adv5t ( a /rang] by ?is  
peculi>ity1 & by 8 g5]ally al]t &       
suspici\s mann]4  ,i am a /rong believ] 
9 ! infusion ( fre% blood ea* ye>1 & ?is
 is easily done by cat*+ a few /rang]   
drakes & p9ion+ !m4 ,^! birds1 if kept  
up until _! w\nd is heal$1 & !n enl>g$ 9
 good "t1 w pair ) y\r own birds & (t5  
become v tame4 ,i did n f9d t p9ion+    
/range ducks answ]$ s well1 z !y 7 v    
prone to /ray & lay _! eggs at a        

di/ance1 & _! "y 7 always %y & difficult
 to tame2 moreov]1 ! ducks nev] br$ !   
fir/ ye> aft] p9ion+1 :]eas ! drakes    
did4 ,x is q a simple matt] to cat* ^!  
wild birds2 y h only to con/ruct an     
ord9>y wire-cov]$ cage1 some:]e ne> !   
wat]1 & ) ! face ne>e/ ! wat] clos$ by a
 door2 y !n accu/om y\r own birds to fe$
 inside ?is cage1 & y w soon f9d t 9    
w9t] !y w come = food z soon z x is     
light1 or r j z day is break+1 always   
provid$ t y fe$ !m at t "t4  ,y h be5   
c>eful to leave ! door ( ! cage op5 ov] 
night1 & h put "s maize inside ! cage4  
,a /rong cord atta*$ to ! door is pass$ 
across ! doorway & r\nd a wood5 runn] on
 ! opposite po/1 & !n to ! back ( !     
cage1 :]e y\r man lies conceal$4 ,(t5   
dur+ sev]e wea!r1 :i* is always ! be/ = 
?is k9d ( "w1 y\r own birds w be foll[$ 
by "o or two /rang]s1 :o 9 ! half light 
come inside ! cage be=e realis+ _!      
mi/ake4 ,once y get !m inside ! cage )  
_! heads away f ! entrance1 pull ! /r+ &
 %ut ! door4 ,c>e %\ld be tak5 t ! /r+  

is fairly high up1 s z n to cat* !      
duck's eye4 ,hav+ got y\r birds safely  
inside1 cat* !m quietly & quickly1 &    
hav+ p9ion$ !m1 take !m1 if possible1 to
 a cage ) "s "p ( x project+ out into ! 
wat]4 ,y1 ( c\rse1 fe$ !m regul>ly1 &   
are c>eful to give !m "s artificial cov]
 to skulk 91 z = "s "t ! pa9 ( ! w\nd & 
! fright !y h _h makes !m t]ribly %y4   
,?is cage1 once con/ruct$1 is mo/ useful
 = su* "w1 & c be built at trifl+ co/1 &
 ! size ,i w\ld recomm5d is ab\t fifte5 
y>ds long by five y>ds wide1 ) a height 
( five or six feet4 ,y\r own birds soon 
get us$ to _! "p ( ! bus9ess1 &1 if y   
are quiet & quick1 soon get ov] _!      
n]v\sness4  ,! advantage ( conf9+ y\r   
captives = a %ort "t is obvi\s4 ,!y get 
us$ to _! surr\nd+s & recognise ! lake z
 _! new home1 & soon take to _! diet (  
maize1 s t :5 y lib]ate !m !y r>ely give
 mu* tr\ble1 & readily mate ) y\r own   
birds4  ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,cage  ,"o v 
important po9t :i* ,i h omitt$ to m5tion
 is ! necessity to kill d[n all rats1   

h$ge-hogs1 moles1 & weasels 9 ! vic9ity 
( y\r bre$+ places4 ,rats are ! ducks'  
wor/ enemies1 & ,i h kn[n "o old doe rat
 :i* _h no less ?an sixte5 wild ducks'  
eggs 9 h] l>d] :5 %e 0 dug out & kill$4 
,all ^! eggs _h a small hole 9 !m1 & 7 (
 c\rse spoilt4 ,we prov$ conclusively t 
%e _h no p>tn] 9 h] crimes1 z we nev]   
lo/ ano!r egg aft] h] dea?4 ,rats are a 
p]fect curse to "y ducks1 & !y w c>ry !m
 (f ev5 :5 !y are half-gr[n1            
occasionally kill+ two or ?ree duckl+s 9
 a s+le night )\t ev5 tak+ ! tr\ble to  
remove !m4 ,on ano!r occasion ,i rememb]
 a rat kill+ a duck :il/ sitt+ on h]    
ne/2 ! un=tunate bird _h all[$ h]self to
 be kill$ app>5tly )\t mov+4  ,moles d a
 good deal ( damage by burr[+ "u ! ne/s1
 ?us =m+ a cavity into :i* ! eggs fall2 
!y are !n c>ri$ (f by ! mole4 ,m ?an    
?is1 _m a duck is ei!r put (f lay+ or   
induc$ to des]t h] ne/ :5 sitt+ ow+ to !
 re/less movem5ts ( ?is little pe/4  ,a 
la/ ^w z reg>ds ! numb]s y %\ld reta9 z 
a bre$+ /ock4 ,?is l>gely dep5ds on !   

size ( ! piece ( wat] y own & ! am\nt ( 
food x c supply to y\r birds4 ,if y\r   
/ock is too l>ge1 y\r birds w d a lot ( 
h>m to ! mead[s adjo9+ ! wat]1 & y mu/  
be> 9 m9d t ! possession ( ! goodwill ( 
! f>m]s r\nd is ! second secret (       
success4 ,ensure ?is1 & y don't get eggs
 /ol51 &1 bett] /ill1 y are in=m$ ( !   
:]eab\ts ( any truant ducks t may be    
ne/+ away f home4  ,a pres5t ( a c\ple (
 fat wild ducks w cov] a multitude ( _! 
s9s4     ,,lay+ ,,& ,,sitt+             
,illu/ration3 ,w4,l4 ,colls4 ,ph4 ,sc4  
,on ,gu>d4     ,,*apt] ,,ii  ,,lay+ ,,& 
,,sitt+   ,we n[ come to ! "t :5 !      
ducks1 hav+ pair$1 %[ an incl9ation to  
look = suitable ne/+ places4 ,! drake   
takes ! lead 9 ?is1 & y may be sure t :5
 y see birds pe]+ ab\t 9 h$ge bottoms1  
/ick heaps1 c41 t eggs w soon be laid4  
,at ?is "t1 too1 !y use a diff]5t note1 
& to quote a v apt t]m us$ by a fri5d ( 
m9e1 !y beg9 to talk4 ,ab\t ! beg9n+ (  
,febru>y x is advisable to h9t to !     
ducks :]e y want !m to lay4 ,if y h any 

l>ge trees 9 y\r paddock1 place a numb] 
( /icks up aga9/ ! trees 9 ! =m ( a     
circle1 leav+ "o or two cle> spaces     
inside ! heap4 ,!n make "s circul>      
holes1 "o 9 ea* ( ! spaces1 & ab\t five 
or six in*es deep1 & %elv+ gradually f  
rim to c5tre4 ,x is be/ to scatt] "s s& 
9 ^! holes1 s t ! birds c m easily "w ! 
ne/s to ! dim5sions t suit !m4 ,don't   
make ! ne/s too small or too %all[1 z !y
 may h to conta9 f\rte5 or fifte5 eggs4 
,x is advisable to put "s %ort dry grass
 or old hay ne> ! ne/1 & a v little 9 x1
 s t ! duck c manipulate x at h]        
pleasure4  ,! pr9cipal ?+ to rememb] is1
 t ! ne/ mu/ be %elt]$ z mu* z possible 
f draughts1 & be made well 9 ! middle ( 
! cov]1 z ducks l d>kness :5 !y are     
sitt+4 ,broom is ab\t ! be/ cov] y c use
 = %elt]+ a ne/1 & is mo/ adaptable4    
,practical exp]i5ce1 & "o's e>ly        
failures1 tea* "o m ?an any?+ else h[ a 
ne/ %\ld be made1 & yet (t5 :5 y are    
satisfi$ t y h select$ a mo/ suitable   
spot = ne/+ purposes1 y w f9d a duck    

occasionally pref]r+ a mis]ably draughty
 position = h] ne/ )9 a y>d ( ! snug    
retreat y h devis$ = h]4 ,! only ?+ !n  
to be done is to leave h] alone until %e
 has settl$ d[n to lay /eadily1 :5 y c  
gradually introduce pieces ( broom1 c41 
s z to %elt] h] ne/ z mu* z possible f  
w9d & ra91 tak+ c>e to leave ! entrance 
to ! ne/ cle>4 ,"y ducks z a rule are ! 
mo/ %y1 & y w g5]ally f9d ! old] birds  
only too glad to avail !mselves ( !     
well-%elt]$ ne/s t y h provid$ = !m4    
,no?+ c be bett] = ducks to ne/ 9 ?an ! 
corn]s ( an ou?\se or old /able1 always 
provid$ t y h kill$ (f ! rats4  ,9 su*  
places w9d & ra9 c d no h>m1 &          
practically e egg hat*es out4  ,! roots 
( holl[ will[ trees are fav\rite ne/+   
places1 b a bit dang]\s if too ne> !    
wat]'s edge4 ,_m birds delight 9 /raw   
/acks1 & if di/urb$ w simply g up high]1
 s z to be out ( ! way ( cattle or human
 be+s4  ,i believe t if y c get y\r     
birds to ne/ 9 ou?\ses or /acks1 y w get
 a mu* bett] hat* out ?an else:]e4 ,la/ 

ye> "o ( my ducks took (f all h] sixte5 
eggs safely f ! corn] ( a /able1 & a    
bird sitt+ close to h] hat*$ elev51 )\t 
a s+le bad egg2 & we _h almo/ z good    
results f birds ne/+ 9 /acks4  ,"o bird1
 aft] be+ di/urb$ f h] ne/ 9 ! side ( a 
/ack1 built at ! top1 & q tw5ty feet f !
 gr\nd4 ,"o f9e morn+ we f\nd h] )      
f\rte5 "y duckl+s1 & %e appe>$ mu*      
annoy$ at ! assi/ance :i* we gave to !  
family to desc5d4  ,if ! wea!r is dry & 
y\r ne/s are well situat$1 y\r birds    
ne/+ outside may d z well z ^? describ$ 
above2 b giv5 a week ( cold w9d &       
p5etrat+ wet1 d[n goes y\r av]age at    
once4  ,la/ season 0 a p>ticul>ly       
fav\rable "o1 & f ! fir/ five ne/s 7all 
sat ^u by ducks7 no less ?an sixty-five 
duckl+s hat*$ out--a highe/ possible4   
,naturally ?is extraord9>y p]c5tage 0 n 
ma9ta9$4 ,we w n[ suppose t ! ducks h   
begun to lay1 an ev5t :i* may take place
 any "t f ! middle ( ,febru>y to !      
middle ( ,m>*1 aft] :i* date !y ought to
 be lay+ /eadily4 ,z !y w lay _m m eggs 

?an !y c successfully hat*1 pick up "s  
eggs at int]vals f ! ne/s1 tak+ c>e     
always to leave two or ?ree 9 ea* ne/4  
,^! eggs %\ld be plac$ on a l>ge tray or
 %all[ box1 l9$ ) hay1 sawdu/1 or o!r   
suitable mat]ial4 ,x is n advisable to  
place !m t\*+ ea* o!r1 & c>e %\ld be    
tak5 to turn !m daily2 if ?is is done ! 
eggs w keep well = ?ree weeks1 by :i* "t
 y h collect$ a suffici5t numb] to put  
"u h5s1 h[ev] small y\r /ock may be4    
,eggs left 9 ! ne/ w1 ( c\rse1 n require
 turn+1 z ! duck does ?is h]self4  ,:5 y
 h collect$ a numb] ( eggs1 place !m "u 
h5s1 hav+ fir/ satisfi$ y\rself t ! h5s 
are good sitt]s4 ,eight to t5 sitt+s (  
twelve eggs ea* is a good numb] to put  
d[n z a />t1 z f ?is numb] y ought to   
get ab\t a hundr$ duckl+s1 & ^!1 :5 old 
en\gh1 c be divid$ into two runs ( ab\t 
fifty ea*4 ,i h f\nd by exp]i5ce t x is 
unwise to put a l>g] numb] ?an ?is      
toge!r until ! birds are ab\t six or    
sev5 weeks old4 ,naturally1 ! numb] (   
eggs y c put d[n w dep5d on ! size ( y\r

 /ock & ! numb] ( sitt+ h5s at y\r      
disposal4  ,a c]ta9 am\nt ( c>e is      
necess>y 9 prep>+ ! ne/ = ! h5s1 z      
ducks' eggs are v fragile1 & mu* m      
easily brok5 ?an h5s' eggs4  ,! foll[+  
is ! me?od :i* ,i recomm5d4 ,get any    
squ>e box ( suffici5t dep?1 & hav+ cut  
"s pieces ( sod1 build up ! corn]s ( !  
box ) !m3 !n cut a squ>e sod to fit !   
size ( ! box1 & hav+ remov$ "s ( ! e>?  
und]nea? ! c5tre ( ! sod1 place x grass 
upw>ds 9 ! box4 ,by ?is means y w obta9 
! prop] %ape = ! ne/1 viz41 a gradual   
slope d[n f ! sides to ! c5tre2 ?is w   
prev5t y\r h5s accid5tally kick+ eggs f 
"u !m1 z ow+ to ! %ape ( ! ne/ any eggs 
:i* are displac$ mu/ roll t[>ds ! c5tre 
or l[e/ "p ( ! ne/2 !re is consequ5tly  
little dang] ( any ( ! eggs gett+ cold4 
,aft] ?is1 l9e ! ne/ ) dry moss4 ,! sod 
und]nea? has ! advantage ( produc+      
great] heat1 & gives a m satisfactory   
hat* out ?an ne/s made ( o!r mat]ial1 & 
be+ firm does n lose its %ape4  ,don't  
=get to give y\r sitt+ h5 "s v5tilation1

 b be c>eful t no draught c rea* ! eggs4
  ,! sitt+ h5s w1 ( c\rse1 be tak5 (f to
 fe$ regul>ly e day1 & y w f9d !m give y
 less tr\ble if y take c>e to te!r !m on
 ! same leg ea* day4  ,& n[ to return to
 ! lay+ ducks4  ,z "t goes on y mu/     
leave m eggs 9 ! ne/1 z ! birds w soon  
want to sit4 ,a duck %[s signs ( ?is by 
l9+ h] ne/ ) d[n f h] brea/1 & 9 a %ort 
"t y w f9d ! :ole ne/1 sides & bottom1  
l9$ ) a ?ick cov]+ ( d[n2 :ile ! eggs   
are cov]$ by :at ,i c be/ describe z a  
?ick movable quilt1 :i* protects !m f ! 
cold1 & ! pry+ eyes ( c>rion cr[s & o!r 
poa*]s4  ,at ?is "t y w obs]ve ! old    
duck /ay+ long] & long] on h] ne/ ea*   
day z %e lays ! la/ egg or two1 & y may 
be sure t %e has fairly begun to sit if 
y f9d h] /ill on h] ne/ ab\t #f or #g   
,p4,m4 ,a day or two be=e %e beg9s to   
sit1 h] ne/ %\ld be made up to its prop]
 complem5t ( eggs1 & x is always wise to
 keep a few eggs 9 h& = su* cont+5cies4 
,! numb] ( eggs a duck c sit on dep5ds  
l>gely on ! size ( ! duck & also ! dep? 

& bread? ( ! ne/2 giv5 fav\rable        
conditions a duck c manage sixte5 or    
sev5te5 eggs1 & ,i knew ( "o ne/1       
consi/+ ( sixte5 eggs1 all ( :i* hat*$  
(f4 ,!re is1 h[ev]1 ?is risk1 t %\ld bad
 wea!r come x is practically impossible 
= a duck to successfully brood s l>ge a 
numb] z sixte5 duckl+s1 ev5 :5 h] coop  
is turn$ away f ! w9d & ra92 & x is "h t
 l>ge brood+ h5s su* z ! ,buf=p+ton     
score _! /ronge/ po9t z mo!rs to "y     
ducks4  ,( "o ?+ y may be sure1 a duck w
 n reta9 any m eggs 9 h] ne/ ?an %e c   
conv5i5tly cov]4 ,i "k ( "o case :]e a  
duck belong+ to me 0 sitt+ on fifte5    
eggs4 ,all appe>$ to be go+ well1 until 
"o morn+ a fri5d ( m9e1 on ^: v]acity ,i
 c absolutely rely1 saw ! duck fly f h] 
ne/1 close to :]e he 0 /&+1 ) an egg 9  
h] bill4  ,illu/ration3 ,w4,l4 ,colls4  
,ph4 ,sc4  ,a tidy ,"m4  ,%e flew to !  
wat]1 ab\t #aej y>ds away1 app>5tly )\t 
break+ ! egg2 b un=tunately my fri5d    
c\ld n get up 9 "t to see :at %e did )  
x4 ,%e hat*$ out ! re/ ( h] eggs        

satisfactorily4  ,i presume t ei!r ! egg
 9 "q 0 crack$ & %e remov$ x = ! sake ( 
cleanl9ess1 or because %e felt h]self   
unable to sit on s _m eggs4  ,on _m     
occasions ,i h notic$ an egg left b>e on
 ! top ( ! d[ny cov]+ :i* ducks are s   
c>eful to leave ov] _! eggs :5 !y g (f  
to fe$1 & ^! eggs1 if tak5 away & plac$ 
"u a h51 h inv>iably hat*$4 ,to ! be/ ( 
my recollection ,i h nev] kn[n eggs     
disappe> f a ne/ conta9+ eggs up to     
?irte5 9 numb]2 b ov] t ,i c\ld quote _m
 in/ances ( "o or two eggs go+4  ,?is   
has l$ me to believe t ! bird above     
allud$ to _h remov$ an egg f h] ne/1 z  
%e felt h]self unable to sit on s _m4 ,a
 good numb] ( eggs to leave "u a duck is
 ?irte51 & "u a h5 twelve4  ,i h        
satisfi$ myself t h5s1 h[ev] small &    
light1 break _m m eggs ?an ducks1 & =   
?is reason ,i d n c>e to give a h5 too  
_m--"o brok5 egg frequ5tly leads to m4  
,x is advisable :5 once ! ducks h begun 
to sit1 to cat* _! mates1 if possible1 &
 %ut !m up 9 "s conv5i5t place dur+     

incubation1 z o!rwise !y bully ! sitt+  
ducks :5 !y come (f to fe$1 & y may h ! 
annoyance ( see+ a duck des]t h] ne/ j  
at hat*+ "t1 z nature has w>n$ h] t %e  
mu/ %ortly lay aga94 ,i _h "o in/ance ( 
?is k9d1 :5 a duck :i* _h be5 sitt+ v   
/eadily left h] ne/ :5 ! eggs 7 actually
 spret*$ 7crack$ previ\s to hat*+71 & z 
lat] 9 ! day %e %[$ no signs ( return+  
we _h to put !m "u a h54 ,! duck 9 "q   
nev] return$ to h] ne/1 b soon made     
ano!r4 ,%e _h n be5 di/urb$ 9 any way4  
,%\ld a duck =sake its ne/1 place ! eggs
 "u a good h5 z quickly z possible1 ev5 
if !y are /one cold4  ,i _h "o case la/ 
ye>1 :i* ,i ?\ght hopeless4 ,! eggs _h  
be5 sat on = ab\t a =tnight4 ,!y 7 /one 
cold1 & we knew ! duck _h be5 (f h] ne/ 
= at lea/ twelve h\rs1 probably mu*     
long]4 ,ev5tually twelve out ( ! ?irte5 
hat*$4 ,if y are unable to cat* !       
drakes1 ! be/ plan is to put food & wat]
 ne> ! ne/ ( ! sitt+ birds1 ! pan       
conta9+ ! wat] be+ l>ge en\gh to all[ h]
 to wa% h]self ?or\ghly1 z x is ! daily 

tub :i* g5]ates heat1 & assi/s mo/      
mat]ially ! successful hat*+ ( ! "y     
birds4  ,i w n[ deal ) ! vex$ "q z to ! 
be/ k9d ( h5s to be employ$4 ,p]sonally 
,i h /rong lean+ t[>ds ,buf=p+tons2 !y  
are1 ( c\rse1 heavy1 & d break a few    
eggs--ducks' eggs be+ p>ticul>ly        
brittle--b1 on ! o!r h&1 !y are v /aun* 
sitt]s1 quiet & easy to h&le1 & n likely
 to get excit$ :5 o!r h5s are hat*+ 9   
close proximity to !m4 ,i h tri$ light] 
h5s ( sev]al bre$s1 & ,i f9d t !y break 
z _m eggs1 & trample on z _m "y duckl+s 
z ! ,buffs1 :]eas tak+ !m all r\nd1 !y  
are n s easy to h&le1 d n sit s /eadily1
 & h no?+ l ! wond]ful brood+ capacity (
 ! ,buffs4  ,_m p put all _! wild ducks'
 eggs "u h5s1 & d n all[ ! ducks        
!mselves to sit4 ,i ?9k ?is is a mi/ake1
 z nature gives to ducks f> great] p[]s 
to hat* _! own eggs ?an %e gives to h5s4
 ,! daily ba?1 already allud$ to1 & !   
mass ( w>m s(t fea!rs1 greatly assi/ 9  
g5]at+ heat1 & 9 prev5t+ ! eggs f gett+ 
*ill$4  ,! old duck treads m lightly :5 

go+ on to h] ne/1 & c]ta9ly breaks f>   
few] eggs ?an ! h5 does4 ,on ! o!r h&1  
ducks are n su* good brood]s z h5s1 &   
are f> m likely to get dirty :5 kept "u 
coops1 h[ev] (t5 y may *ange ! gr\nd1   
ow+ to ! fact t !y d n get to ! wat] = !
 daily ba? :i* is ess5tial to !m2 & if y
 leave a ba? = !m 9 ! coop1 ! "y duckl+s
 w be sure to get to x & probably       
contract cramp4  ,ano!r /rong po9t 9    
fav\r ( h5s is ! fact t :5 y h a l>ge   
numb] ( clet*es ( ducks 9 ! wir$ run !  
h5s d n kill !m :5 !y make a mi/ake & g 
to ! wrong coop1 :]eas ducks frequ5tly  
d4 ,if1 !re=e1 a consid]able numb] (    
broody h5s are available1 ! be/ plan is 
to let ! ducks sit on ! eggs until !y   
are spret*$ 7crack$71 & !n transf] !m to
 h5s :i* h be5 sitt+ = "s "t4 ,?is1     
h[ev]1 is a cruel bus9ess at be/4  ,!   
plan ,i always adopt is to note d[n     
c>efully ! day on :i* a duck %\ld hat*1 
& hav+ satisfi$ myself t ! "y ones are  
dry aft] hat*+ & ready to move1 ,i cat* 
! old duck on ! ne/1 & remove h] & h]   

:ole family to a coop & run4  ,c>e (    
c\rse %\ld be tak5 to see ! b>s 9 front 
( ! coop are n suffici5tly f> ap>t to   
all[ ! duck to escape4  ,ducks' eggs    
take f tw5ty-f\r to tw5ty-n9e days to   
hat* z a rule1 ?\gh occasionally a lot (
 eggs t h be5 put d[n soon aft] be+ laid
 w hat* 9 tw5ty-?ree days1 if set "u a  
good h54 ,i %\ld put tw5ty-six days z ! 
usual p]iod ( incubation4  ,if ! ducks  
are well & regul>ly f$1 !y %\ld lay an  
av]age ( tw5ty-?ree eggs apiece dur+ !  
ne/+ season4 ,we g5]ally fe$ ours on    
maize1 z x is less wa/eful ?an small]   
gra91 & ! birds lay well on x4 ,"o c1 ,i
 ?9k1 c\nt on #hj p] c5t4 ( ! eggs      
hat*+1 & ( birds actually hat*$ y ought1
 9 a fair season1 to re> #he p] c5t4    
,hav+ tak5 my read] z f> z ! hat*+ out (
 ! "y birds1 ,i propose 9 my next *apt]1
 :i* ,i consid] ! mo/ important 9 !     
book1 to deal ) ! "q ( _! food1 up to ! 
"t !y are fit to %oot4     ,,hat*+ ,,&  
,,re>+  ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,re>+        
,,paddock     ,,*apt] ,,iii  ,,hat*+ ,,&

 ,,re>+   ,! "t is n[ approa*+ :5 !     
duckl+s may be expect$ to hat* out4 ,c>e
 has be5 tak5 to pl5tifully spr9kle !   
eggs ) tepid wat]1 two or ?ree times a  
week1 :il/ ! h5s are (f = _! daily fe$1 
& ev]y?+ is ready = ! "y birds4  ,! fir/
 sign ( approa*+ hat*+ is a curi\s      
opaqu5ess :i* affects ! eggs4 ,?is is   
spe$ily foll[$ by *ipp+1 & by plac+ !   
egg close to ! e> ! "y birds c easily be
 he>d endeav\r+ to obta9 _! lib]ty4 ,if 
all ! eggs *ip & hat* toge!r x is a sure
 sign ( heal?y birds2 b %\ld !y be hat*+
 out pat*ily1 remove ! e>lie/ birds at  
int]vals f ! diff]5t h5s & put !m 9 a   
basket l9$ ) flannel1 9 a w>m corn] ( a 
room1 b n too ne> ! fire4  ,:5 ! birds  
are q dry & lively1 remove !m elev5 or  
twelve toge!r & place !m 9 a coop1 ) a  
small wire run atta*$4 ,always place !  
coops fac+ ! sun1 if possible1 & ) _!   
backs to ! w9d4  ,w9d & ra9 mu/ be kept 
out & ! sun admitt$4 ,! latt] w br+ on  
"y birds quick] ?an any?+4 ,dur+ v bad  
wea!r coops may h to be %ift$ two or    

?ree times a day if ! w9d keeps *ang+4  
,a matt] ( consid]able importance is !  
nature ( ! soil on :i* ! ducks are to be
 re>$4 ,let x be light & well dra9$1 & !
 gr\nd undulat+1 s t x may be always    
possible to %elt] ! "y birds f a h>%    
w9d4 ,a high bank1 su* z t allud$ to 9  
,*apt] ,i41 is (t5 ( ! greate/ assi/ance
 9 %elt]+ !m1 p>ticul>ly :5 !y get a    
little old]4  ,! duckl+s mu/ be put on  
"s grass1 z o!rwise ! h5s w scrat* =    
food1 & g5]ally damage "o or two ( _!   
brood4 ,! "y hopefuls require sc>cely   
any?+ to eat or dr9k = ! fir/ tw5ty-f\r 
h\rs1 & d little else b brood und]nea? !
 h51 ?\gh little pat*es ( br[n & yell[ )
 a bright eye "h & !re =m a fasc9at+    
picture = any pass]-by4  ,! fir/ food   
giv5 %\ld be a little f9e wild duck     
meal1 scald$ 9 ! usual way1 & put on a  
%all[ plate outside ! coop1 & inside !  
small wire run atta*$ to ! coop4 ,to />t
 )1 a little food may be scatt]$ ov] !  
grass inside ! coops to attract ! little
 birds to _! meal2 !y %\ld1 h[ev]1 be   

taught to fe$ z soon z possible outside 
= ! sake ( cleanl9ess4  ,x is mo/       
important at ?is e>ly /age t ! food be n
 ( too sloppy a nature1 o!rwise ! birds 
soon get 9 a t]rible /ate1 & absolutely 
coat$ ) _! food4 ,?is always leads to _!
 heads1 eyes1 & (t5 _! backs becom+     
/icky1 & 9 ! end spells a big dea? roll4
 ,v little wat]1 & t pond wat]1 %\ld be 
giv5 dur+ ! e>ly /ages2 ! cold] ! wea!r 
! less !y ought to h to dr9k1 & x is (t5
 a good plan to take ! *ill (f :at      
little is giv5 !m4 ,don't =get to give !
 h5s food & wat] twice a day4  ,a busy  
"t is n[ be=e ! keep]1 or :oev] is      
responsible = ! fe$+4  ,! e>lie/ meal   
%\ld be giv5 at ab\t #d ,a4,m4 or z soon
 z x is light1 & !n regul>ly ?r\gh\t !  
day1 e f\r h\rs4  ,be c>eful to fe$ m   
frequ5tly dur+ inclem5t wea!r1 & move ! 
coops prior to fe$+4  ,! duckl+s are n[ 
fairly />t$ on _! j\rney1 & be=e foll[+ 
!m ,i propose to describe ! me?od to be 
adopt$ 9 ! case ( ducks sitt+ on _! own 
eggs4 ,visit ! sitt+ birds pretty       

regul>ly1 s t !y lose _! %yness on see+ 
y1 & :5 ! birds h be5 sitt+ tw5ty-five  
days1 g 9 ! e>ly morn+ & late 9 ! ev5+  
to satisfy y\rself t ! eggs h n hat*$4  
,an exp]i5c$ eye c g5]ally tell1 by !   
unusually elevat$ appe>ance ( ! duck on 
h] ne/1 :5 %e has hat*$1 & sometimes by 
creep+ quietly =w>d ! little birds may  
be he>d *irp+1 ?\gh !y in/antly cease on
 receiv+ a w>n+ f _! "m4  ,%\ld y h d\bt
 z to ! hat*+ hav+ tak5 place1 a blunt$ 
/ick put "u h] brea/ w g5]ally reveal ! 
/ate ( affairs1 & if %e kn[s y ! old    
bird w n m9d ?is4  ,directly x is       
asc]ta9$ t ! brood is dry en\gh1 ! old  
bird %\ld be caught & ! little ones put 
9 a w>m basket1 & ! lot transf]r$ to a  
coop & run1 aft] :i* !y are treat$ 9    
exactly ! same mann] z ^? "u a h54  ,i d
 n1 h[ev]1 ?9k x wise to give ! duck z  
_m "y ones to look aft] z are giv5 to ! 
h52 v (t51 h[ev]1 !re is no option 9 !  
matt]4  ,ducks are v cunn+ at hat*+ "t1 
& unless ! keep] is quick & obs]vant1 w 
frequ5tly give him ! slip1 & get (f ) _!

 brood to ! wat]1 :]e m ?an half ( !m w 
probably fall a prey to rats & pike4  ,i
 rememb] on "o occasion be+ unable until
 late aft]noon to g & look at a ne/ :i* 
0 due to hat* 9 ! morn+4 ,i f\nd f\rte5 
empty %ells & ! family gone4 ,x 0 a v   
cold day1 & aft] a prolong$ se>* ! p>ty 
7 f\nd snugly ensconc$ "u a will[ tree4 
,!y 7 spe$ily captur$ & br\ght home4  ,!
 "y ducks are n[ ?ree or f\r days old1 &
 h got into ! way ( runn+ out ( ! coop &
 into ! run = _! food & wat]4 ,!y h     
ov]come _! e>ly %yness1 & on ! appe>ance
 ( ! keep] spe$ily %[ !mselves4 ,a      
little f9e crissel & fl9t grit c n[ )   
advantage be add$ to ! meal1 & "s s&1   
:i* acts z a dige/ive1 plac$ 9 ! wat] & 
on ! grass4 ,nev] give !m m ?an !y c    
eat4 ,no?+ is worse ?an /ale food left  
ab\t2 x leads to di>rhoea1 c41 & gives !
 y\ng/]s a di/a/e = _! food4 ,! food c  
be plac$ 9 long %all[ tr\ghs or on !    
grass 9 "o long l9e4 ,i pref] ! =m]     
plan1 z less is left ab\t to become /ale
 & s\r4 ,c>e %\ld be tak5 to see t !    

tr\ghs are ?or\ghly wa%$ aft] ea* meal4 
,:5 ab\t t5 days old ! duckl+s require m
 room to roam ab\t 91 & unless y give x 
!m !y w beg9 to g back4  ,illu/ration3  
,a ,,small ,,run  ,place five or six    
coops1 h5s inside1 9 a l9e1 & ab\t a    
foot ap>t1 & wire 9 a piece ( gr\nd ab\t
 t5 y>ds squ>e r\nd ! coops2 x is bett] 
to give !m too mu* room ?an too little4 
,x w g5]ally be necess>y to move on to  
fre% gr\nd e f\r or five days dur+ ?is  
/age1 b mu* dep5ds ( c\rse on ! /ate ( !
 wea!r4 ,x is a good plan to leave !    
small wire runs inside ! l>g] runs1 z !y
 give a c]ta9 am\nt ( %elt] 9 bad wea!r4
 ,x is delightful to see ! little *aps  
appreciat+ _! new lib]ty & da%+ ab\t 9  
all directions 9 *ase ( flies1 c4 ,no?+ 
seems to hurt !m at ?is "t1 & ,i once   
rememb] see+ ?ree ( my "y ducks dev\r a 
bee apiece aft] fir/ crippl+ x4 ,i h    
notic$ a bird swall[ a bee alive1 & h   
also se5 "o /ung1 b no ill effects      
result$4  ,x is a good plan n[ to give !
 birds a little boil$ rabbit1 *opp$ up  

f9e2 x makes a *ange f ! crissel1 &     
duckl+s mu/ h "s animal food z a        
sub/itute = ! slugs1 worms1 & _m        
etcet]as t !y pick up 9 _! natural /ate4
 ,! *opp$ rabbit %\ld be mix$ ) ! meal4 
,"o ^w ( advice be=e go+ f>!r4 ,previ\s 
to plac+ a numb] ( coops conta9+ ! old  
ducks close toge!r1 asc]ta9 c>efully    
:e!r !re are any vici\s ones among/     
!m--"s are v savage1 & w imm$iately peck
 to dea? any unw>y little "o :i* ent]s a
 coop n its prop] home4 ,x is be/ 9 ^!  
cases to isolate ! old bird & h] brood  
altoge!r1 if y h pl5ty ( room1 or1 fail+
 t1 to place h] by h]self 9 "o corn] ( !
 run4  ,if bad wea!r comes on1 a p9* (  
,c>diac 7a k9d ( tonic sold by ,messrs4 
,spratt7 may be add$ to ! food1 b ,i    
only advocate its use occasionally4 ,!  
*ief po9t ,i am anxi\s to impress on my 
read]s is1 don't let y\r birds get cold 
& wet2 if y d1 gr\nd is lo/ :i* c nev]  
be recov]$4 ,a capital plan is to cov]  
"s portion ( ! run ) sack+ or a wat]pro(
 %eet to =m a %elt] aga9/ excessive heat

 or a sudd5 hail-/orm4 ,! mo/ delicate  
"t1 9 my op9ion1 is j :5 !y are gett+ _!
 %\ld] fea!rs1 & if y get !m safely     
?r\gh ?is p]iod ! wor/ is ov]4          
,illu/ration3 ,,w>e ,,wire6  ,:5 !y are 
ab\t a =tnight old beg9 to give !m "s   
:eat 9 _! dr9k+ wat]2 t kn[n to f>m]s z 
seconds is be/4 ,i am a /rong advocate (
 /eep+ ! :eat be=e fe$+1 z ,i ?9k x     
r5d]s x m dige/ible1 ?\gh ?is is n s    
necess>y if "o uses seconds4 ,! ducks   
hav+ got to eat :eat nicely1 introduce a
 little b>ley1 & by ! "t !y are sev5    
weeks old y c af=d to d )\t meal        
entirely1 & x w be "t to take ! birds   
d[n to ! wat] :i* is to be _! home4 ,!  
greate/ ob/acle to success 9 re>+ dur+ !
 e>ly /ages ( a "y wild duck's life is !
 extraord9>y knack !y h ( gett+ _! heads
 & backs dirty4 ,?is is a mo/ s]i\s     
matt]1 & causes great mortality unless  
att5d$ to4 ,x is g5]ally caus$ by ! food
 adh]+ to _! heads & *eeks2 be+ ( a     
/icky nature1 x w (t51 if neglect$1     
cause inflammation to ! eyes & ev5tually

 bl9dness4 ,if once _! heads get dirty1 
_! backs soon foll[ suit1 z ! act (     
pre5+ soon transf]s ! dirt f ! head to !
 back4  ,?is curse to "y ducks is mo/   
preval5t 9 wet wea!r1 & x is !re=e mo/  
necess>y to con/antly *ange ! gr\nd s z 
to keep ! birds z clean z possible2 if  
once ! old bird gets dirty1 x is        
good-bye to ! g5]al good heal? ( h]     
brood4  ,! only rem$y1 if matt]s become 
s]i\s1 is to get "s tepid wat] & soap1 &
 c>efully wa% ! affect$ places ) a s(t  
sponge1 tak+ c>e to free ! d[n or fea!rs
 :i* h adh]$ to ! sk94 ,a hot sunny day 
is ! be/ = ! purpose1 z ! "y birds !n h 
e *ance ( gett+ dry4 ,if ! old bird is  
dirty1 try to all[ h] a good wa% 9 a tub
 or small tank2 %e mu/1 h[ev]1 be wat*$1
 o!rwise %e may leave h] "y ones 9 !    
lur*4 ,if y\r ducks are p9ion$ x is easy
 to manage ?is ba?1 & to prev5t ! birds 
/ray+ aft]w>ds f _! "y4 ,:5 ! duckl+s   
are sev5 weeks old *oose a nice w>m day1
 & take !m d[n to ! wat]3 ,i say a w>m  
day1 z ow+ to _! delight at gett+ to _! 

natural elem5t1 !y are v liable to ov]do
 _! ba?+ at fir/1 &1 %\ld ! day be cold1
 ! casualty li/ w be a big "o next      
morn+4  ,illu/ration3 ,,wir$ ,,9 ,,on   
,,! ,,wat]  ,at ?is "t x is be/ to wire 
(f a piece ( l& & wat]1 mak+ ! :ole into
 "o l>ge run1 & tak+ c>e t !re is "s    
%elt] on l& = ! "y birds4 ,x is a good  
plan to br+ d[n ! old birds1 coops &    
all1 to _! tempor>y home1 keep+ ! mo!rs 
%ut up 9 ! coops = ! pres5t4 ,_! pres5ce
 gives confid5ce to ! duckl+s1 & _! %>p 
w>n+ quacks tell !m :5 dang] is ab\t1 & 
also emphasise ! fact t !re d exi/ su*  
?+s z gulls1 c>rion cr[s1 cats1 dogs1   
c41 & t 9 future ! "y hopefuls mu/ look 
out = !mselves4 ,will[ trees plant$ at !
 wat]'s edge & kept ab\t five to six    
feet high =m admirable protection f bad 
wea!r & w+$ v]m91 & also give welcome   
%elt] f ! heat ( ! sun1 :il/ !y         
und\bt$ly add to ! am\nt ( insect life 9
 ! run4  ,if y wi% to /udy economy 9    
fe$+1 an excell5t plan is to mix b>ley  
meal ) y\r duck meal2 comm5ce 9 !       

proportion ( f\r p>ts duck meal to "o ( 
b>ley meal1 & increase ! proportion ( ! 
latt] until ! mixture is half & half4   
,too mu* b>ley meal is1 ,i feel sure1 a 
bad ?+1 & causes indige/ion1 & if exp5se
 is no object x is be/ to /ick to ! wild
 duck meal until ! ducks are wean$ to   
corn2 if1 h[ev]1 y d decide to fe$ on   
b>ley meal1 x is a good plan to mix a   
little bran ) x1 9 ! proportion ( "o "p 
bran to f\r ( b>ley meal4  ,y %\ld get !
 ducks on to corn z soon z possible1 &  
tea* !m to eat x 9 %all[ wat]2 !y don't 
eat x s fa/ if ?is plan is adopt$1 are  
less liable to get indige/ion1 & 9 se>*+
 = ! food are con/antly dr9k+ wat] at ! 
same "t z ! food1 z well z a c]ta9 am\nt
 ( grit1 s&1 c4 ,ducks mu/ h wat] ) _!  
food1 & ! soon] !y are tra9$ to take    
corn & wat] toge!r1 ! bett] w _! meals  
be dige/$2 moreov]1 if f$ 9 ?is way     
birds c]ta9ly require less1 & !re is    
consequ5tly a gratify+ r$uction 9 ! gra9
 bill at ! end ( ! ye>4  ,to return to !
 run at ! wat]'s edge1 let x be assum$ t

 ! birds h be5 t5 days to a =tnight 9 _!
 new home1 h become ?or\ghly accu/om$ to
 x1 & naturally look ^u x z ! place :]e 
food is to be obta9$ at /at$ times4  ,x 
is n[ "t to enl>ge !m altoge!r1 b be=e  
do+ s lib]ate a few ( ! lea/ vici\s ( ! 
old ducks4 ,^! birds v soon take *>ge ( 
a c]ta9 numb] ( "y ones1 & directly !   
wire is pull$ up w tea* !m :]e to look =
 food4 ,x is a v pretty sight to see an 
old bird swimm+ at ! head ( tw5ty or    
?irty "y duckl+s1 :o =m a compact mass  
beh9d h]1 & always accompany h] 9 =ag+  
exp$itions4 ,%e x is :o w>ns !m t x is  
ne>ly fe$+ "t2 x is h] eye :i* has      
detect$ a well-kn[n figure hov]+        
ov]head1 & h] voice :i* w>ns !m to make 
= ! ne>e/ %elt]4  ,by ?is "t ,i am sure 
t my read]s w be gett+ impati5t because 
,i h said s little z to ! co/ ( food4 ,a
 gold5 rule is to give y\r duckl+s all  
!y w eat dur+ ! fir/ sev5 or eight      
weeks1 & aft] t make !m hunt = _!       
natural food1 giv+ !m j suffici5t to    
keep !m fairly fat & prev5t !m f /ray+4 

,x is q possible to get !m fat en\gh = !
 l>d] by increas+ ! supply ( maize dur+ 
! la/ =tnight or s be=e y\r %oot takes  
place4  ,i am ( op9ion t1 provid$ a man 
fe$s & looks aft] 8 ducks himself1 is 9 
possession ( a supply ( coops & runs1 & 
is =tunate en\gh to h a suitable piece (
 wat] ( 8 own1 z well z a bit ( gr\nd to
 re> !m on1 t he c make 8 acc\nts       
balance at ! end ( ! ye>4 ,9 o!r words1 
he w be able to give 8 fri5ds "s v      
enjoyable %oot+1 & supply himself ) a   
hobby ( :i* he w nev] be tir$1 at no    
exp5se to himself4 ,9 support ( my      
/atem5t ,i propose to give a few        
figures4 ,! bre$+ /ock has ( c\rse to be
 pur*as$1 & = ! sake ( simplicity let u 
put x at tw5ty ducks & fifte5 drakes1   
mak+ an initial co/ ( ab\t ,l#g4 ,9 an  
exp]i5ce ( "s ye>s1 h[ev]1 ,i h f\nd t  
my /ock at ! end ( ! season numb]s      
practically ! same z at ! comm5cem5t1 & 
,i f\nd x always possible to fill up any
 casualties by cat*+ & p9ion+ wild birds
 :i* jo9 my own4 ,on ^! gr\nds ,i       

consid] t my /ock at ! end ( ! season is
 ( ! same value z at ! beg9n+1 & t "o   
side ( my acc\nt balances ! o!r4  ,!    
/ock f$ on maize w co/ ab\t #abs4 #f;d4 
a mon?1 &1 suppos+ t ! fir/ birds are   
hat*$ out ab\t ! middle ( ,april1 &     
practically all1 except a v few reta9$ =
 bre$+ purposes & "s immature birds1 are
 kill$ ! fir/ week 9 ,septemb]1 ?is     
calculation br+s ! price ( fe$+ ! bre$+ 
/ock = sev5 & a half mon?s to ,l#d1     
#acs4 #i;d4  ,n[ = ! food ( ! "y birds4 
,i assume t f ! above-m5tion$ /ock ab\t 
#bej duckl+s w be re>$1 &1 tak+ an      
av]age ( sev]al ye>s1 _! food f ! date (
 hat*+ 7mid ,april7 to e>ly ,septemb]   
works out r\ghly at ,l#af4 ,?is includes
 wild duck meal1 :eat1 b>ley1 & b>ley   
meal1 a little maize1 & ! _m etcet]as1  
su* z crissel1 grit1 & c>diac4  ,to ?is 
%\ld be add$ a little extra = ! fe$+ ( !
 immature birds1 :i* are n q ready =    
kill+4 ,put ?is at #aes4  ,9 addition   
!re is /ill ! exp5se ( sitt+ h5s3 if    
tw5ty h5s are pur*as$ at #cs4 ea* &     

aft]w>ds sold at #bs41 ?is item w "w out
 z an exp5diture ( ,l#a4 ,!y h ( c\rse  
to be f$1 b _! food--maize is ! be/--has
 be5 tak5 f ! food pur*as$ = ! ducks1 s 
t no fur!r am\nt has to be *>g$ "u ?is  
head+4  ,! debit side ( ! acc\nt w n[ "w
 out z foll[s3--    ,food = duckl+s     
,l#af  #j  #j   ,food = old birds       
#d #ac  #i   ,extra food allud$ to above
      #j #ae  #j   ,exp5ses = sitt+ h5s 
#a  #j  #j                              
---------                               
,l#bb  #h  #i  ,z aga9/ ^! figures !re  
are #bej "y ducks = sale3 d$uct f ?is   
numb] fifte5 = casualties ( v>i\s k9ds1 
su* z dead birds unpick$ at ! %oot1 odd 
birds t may /ray & be kill$1 c41 & ?is  
gives #bce4 ,if ! birds are prop]ly f$ a
 game-deal] w be glad to give #bs4 ea* =
 !m1 especially if ! %oot is tim$ to fit
 "s popul> function1 su* z ,donca/]     
,races2 s t ! cr$it side ( ! acc\nt %[s 
a sum ( ,l#bc1 #ajs4 = ! sale ( #bce    
birds1 giv+ a small surplus ( r ov]     
,l#a1 :i* c be us$ to meet incid5tal    

exp5ses1 su* z pur*ase ( wire1 c4 ,ea*  
"y bird w co/ ab\t #as4 #c-a_/b;d4 to   
re>1 & w sell = #bs41 leav+ #h-a_/b;d4 a
 bird pr(it ) :i* to meet ! o!r exp5ses4
 ,_m ( my read]s may ?9k ! m>g9 ( fifte5
 birds set ap>t z casualties f> too     
small1 b ,i c assure !m t1 s f> ) me1 x 
has nev] rea*$ t numb]1 & ne$ n d s     
provid$ ! birds are kept at home by     
prop] fe$+1 & ! "r p propitiat$4        
,naturally "o does n sell all "o's      
ducks1 or any?+ l x4 ,"s are giv5 to !  
fri5ds :o come to ! %oot1 & _m are giv5 
to ! f>m]s r\nd1 b 9 consid]+ acc\nts1  
,i ?9k ,i am ju/ifi$ 9 includ+ ! value (
 birds giv5 away z "o ( ! assets4 ,9 any
 case ,i h made an hone/ attempt to help
 ^? :o wi% to look be=e !y leap4 ,ducks 
are v fond ( maize2 x c]ta9ly br+s !m on
 quick] ?an any?+ else1 & ,i h _h "y    
drakes ( ! ye> 9 full plumage on ,augu/ 
#a1 :5 maize has be5 ! only corn us$4 ,x
 is1 h[ev]1 too fatt5+1 ,i ?9k1 & a bit 
apt to make ! birds lazy4 ,i d n believe
 t birds f$ solely on maize fly s well  

or are z good = ! table z ^? ^: diet is 
compos$ ( a mixture ( :eat1 b>ley1 &    
maize4 ,! birds mu/ be enc\rag$ to seek 
_! natural food1 z only by ?is means w !
 wild duck's flav\r be reta9$4  ,! birds
 mu/ be f$ at regul> h\rs1 z ?is is !   
only gu>antee t !y w be at home :5      
want$4  ,i hope t 9 ?is *apt] ,i h      
succe$$ 9 %[+ h[ wild ducks c be f$ 9 ! 
be/ & also mo/ economical mann]1 & ,i   
%all endeav\r 9 ! conclud+ "o to give my
 read]s "s h9ts z to h[ ! birds c be    
made to %[ reasonably good sport4       
,,%oot+  ,illu/ration3 ,w4,l4 ,colls1   
,ph4 ,sc4  ,q tall en\gh4     ,,*apt]   
,,iv  ,,%oot+   ,! *ief difficulty      
confront+ a ho/ :o desires to give 8    
gue/s good sport lies 9 ! fact t x is no
 easy matt] to get "y h&-re>$ wild ducks
 to fly well1 & ,i propose 9 ?is *apt]  
to endeav\r to %[ h[ x c be/ be done4   
,i say "y birds1 z ,i ?9k x w be admitt$
 t wild duck1 if %ot 9 late ,octob] or  
,novemb]1 w ne>ly always fly well4 ,_m  
sportsm5 w1 h[ev]1 = v>i\s reasons1 n   

want to keep _! birds s long1 ei!r on ! 
score ( exp5se or = fe> ( _! /ray+ f    
home4 ,"y wild ducks hat*$ ab\t ! second
 week 9 ,april %\ld1 if prop]ly f$1 be 9
 good plumage & fit to %oot by ! fir/   
week 9 ,septemb]2 & :y1 _! own]         
naturally asks1 %\ld !y g on eat+ _!    
heads (f :5 !y are ready to be %ot &    
eat5 !mselves4 ,p>tridge driv+ has n    
begun & ! fir/ edge has be5 tak5 (f !   
gr\se1 s :y %\ld n ! ducks be %ot n[2   
moreov]1 if f$ well !y w fet* a good    
price 9 ! m>ket at ?is "t1 z !y w be 9 !
 nature ( a treat s e>ly 9 ! season4 ,! 
me?ods ( %oot+ h&-re>$ wild ducks may be
 divid$ into f\r3--  #a4 ,po/+ ! guns at
 diff]5t spots on ! m>g9 ( a lake or ne>
 x1 & flu%+ ! ducks by means ( dogs &   
beat]s4  #b4 ,tea*+ ! ducks to take a   
p>ticul> l9e ( flight by means ( a horn1
 & !n1 )\t us+ ! horn on ! day ( ! %oot1
 int]cept+ !m dur+ _! flight4  #c4      
,cat*+ ! ducks be=eh&1 lib]at+ !m 9     
conv5i5t numb]s1 & !n driv+ !m ov] !    
guns4  #d4 ,flight %oot+4  ,to deal fir/

 ( all ) ,no4 #a me?od4 ,let x be imag9$
 t ! ho/ is =tunate en\gh to possess a  
lake or piece ( m>%y gr\nd ( consid]able
 ext5t1 & bord]$ by re$s or flags1 :i*  
=m good cov]4 ,possibly ! lake may n>r[ 
at "s "p1 & if s our ho/'s dispositions 
are easy2 he places 8 guns on ei!r %ore 
at ! neck1 & if !re is room he fa/5s a  
punt 9 ! wat]1 midway betwe5 ! guns on  
l&4 ,a second l9e ( guns might1 ( c\rse1
 be plac$ f>!r back4  ,if ! lake w9ds   
ab\t a good deal ! ducks w probably cut 
across c\ntry1 & 9 any case c be easily 
made to d s by be+ flagg$ 9 or by be+ f$
 9 a c]ta9 direction2 !re w v likely be 
"s belt ( trees 9 _! l9e ( flight1 & if 
s "s delightful sport may be _h at high 
birds1 ! guns be+ plac$ 9 ! op5 & well  
back f ! trees1 unless ! birds are v %y4
  ,:5 ! dispositions ( ! ho/ are made1  
spaniels & keep]s w beat ! ru%es on ei!r
 side ( ! lake1 driv+ ! ducks ov] !     
guns1 & ! dogs c !n be tak5 to ! f>!r   
end & a return drive giv5 :5 ! ducks h  
be5 ov] ! guns once2 ! latt] w probably 

h to conceal !mselves = ?is return      
drive1 z ! birds w n[ be m w>y1 & _m t h
 n settl$ at ! f>!r end ( ! lake may be 
circl+ high ov]head4  ,aft] a "t x w    
probably be necess>y to re/ ! birds = an
 h\r or two = fe> ( driv+ !m clean away4
 ,don't =get :5 ! %oot is ov] to h a    
?or\gh hunt = dead birds & cripples2 !  
pick up is always a big "o1 z v few     
birds are miss$ entirely4 ,! be/ "t to  
%oot at a high-fly+ duck is j aft] he   
has pass$ ov]head1 z !n ! %ot gets beh9d
 ! fea!rs & p5etrates m easily4  ,! be/ 
%ot to use is1 ,i ?9k1 ,no4 #d4  ,!     
disadvantages ( ! above plan are3 7a7   
all ! birds are fright5$ badly1 & "s are
 sure to be lo/2 7b7 "s birds1 :i*      
/rictly speak+ are b>ely ready1 are     
c]ta9 to be %ot4  ,illu/ration3 ,,an    
,,ineffective ,,cripple ,,/opp]  ,_m a  
good day's sport h ,i enjoy$ ) ! ducks 9
 ,india4 ,9 ! ,nor?-,we/ ,prov9ces1 :]e 
,i 0 once qu>t]$1 !re are a numb] (     
jheels or huge lakes1 & dur+ ! cold     
wea!r ^! are t5ant$ by c\ntless wild-f[l

 ( ne>ly e v>iety4 ,! plan usually      
adopt$ is to po/ ! guns "s di/ance ap>t 
& :]e !y c be/ comm& ! fav\rite fe$+    
gr\nds ( ! birds2 natives are !n s5t to 
diff]5t p>ts ( ! lake to /ir ! f[l &    
aft]w>ds to keep !m on ! move1 %\ld !y  
settle at a di/ance f :]e ! guns are    
plac$4 ,well ,i rememb] ! ke5 pleasure1 
n unmix$ ) anxiety1 ) :i* ,i receiv$ an 
invitation to %oot a celebrat$ jheel :i*
 _h n be5 di/urb$ t season4 ,t5 guns1 ,i
 0 told1 7 com+4 ,n[ ,i knew t !re 7 n m
 ?an half-a-doz5 really safe guns 9 !   
imm$iate neighb\rhood1 & ,i det]m9$ t 9 
my case discretion %\ld be ! bett] "p ( 
val\r4 ,i accept$ ! invitation ) c]ta9  
m5tal res]vations4  ,arriv$ at !        
r5dezv\s1 ,i f\nd an old fri5d & good   
%ot2 9 addition sev]al good fell[s1 "s (
 :om1 ?\gh *>m+ f a social po9t ( view1 
pla9ly %[$ by ! r defiant mann] 9 :i* !y
 h&l$ _! guns t !y 7 be/ avoid$ on !    
pres5t occasion4 ,=tunately = my fri5d &
 myself we 7 r %ort ( boats1 s ) app>5t 
good nature we insi/$ on /ay+ on %ore1  

:]e we c\ld get well out ( range if     
necess>y4 ,we spe$ily secret$ ourselves 
among/ "s tall re$s1 & well away f !    
direction t[>ds :i* ! fleet ( boats 0   
mak+4 ,"o ( ^!1 /rongly resembl+ a      
?ree-deck]1 _h ?ree guns on bo>d1 all ( 
:om /ood upright ?r\gh\t ! action4 ,h]  
we *ri/5$ ! ,man ( ,w>4 ,! small] craft 
skirmi%$ 9 h] vic9ity1 & = two h\rs !   
battle rag$ furi\sly4 ,no di/ance 0 too 
great1 no wat]f[l too small or          
insignificant = _! att5tion2 b endurance
 has its limits1 & at la/ we notic$ t   
ev5 ! ,man ( ,w> 0 sil5c$1 hav+ fir$    
upw>ds ( #fjj r\nds4 ,sl[ly & solemnly !
 ,fleet work$ its way back to tiff94    
,illu/ration3 ,,be=e ,,! ,,ev5+ ,,meal  
,9 ! meantime my fri5d & ,i _h "s       
capital sport1 kill+ sev]al p9tail be=e 
^! birds1 always ! fir/ to leave1 _h    
f9ally dep>t$4 ,9 addition we got "s    
grey duck1 gadwall1 & a numb] ( g>ganey 
& po*>d4 ,lat]1 :5 ! boats _h all left !
 jheel1 ! f[l sl[ly began to return1 &  
we n[ realis$ ) satisfaction t we 7 well

 plac$4 ,nev] h ,i _h bett] sport or    
enjoy$ myself m1 & :5 at l5g? we 7      
p]emptorily in=m$ t ! return tra9 0     
%ortly due 7& ev5 ,indian tra9s don't   
wait = "o m ?an half-an-h\r71 we /agg]$ 
into ! little wayside /ation1 foll[$ by 
our coolies1 c>ry+ en\gh ducks to fe$ ! 
/ation = a week4 ,! second me?od has n[ 
to be dealt )4  ,no?+ is easi] ?an to   
accu/om ! ducks to come to fe$ at /at$  
times4  ,at fir/ a horn may be us$ & !n 
gradually dropp$1 & 9 a v %ort "t !     
birds w "k ! "t ( day z well z _! fe$]  
does2 ! latt] mu/ be /]n ) !m1          
absolutely decl9+ to fe$ !m except at ! 
regul> h\rs1 "o ( :i* w be tim$ to suit 
! h\r x is int5d$ to comm5ce ! %oot4    
,be=e comm5c+ ?is tuition ! ho/ w h to  
select ! place f :i* he wi%es ! birds to
 fly1 & also ! fe$+ gr\nd :i* is ! end (
 _! j\rney4  ,ducks pref] to re/ dur+ ! 
day1 & are v fond ( %ade2 provide !m1   
!re=e1 if possible1 ) a plantation on "s
 slop+ gr\nd fairly ne> wat]1 :]e !y c  
get %elt] f sun & w9d4 ,i h f\nd will[s 

excell5t = ?is purpose1 z by topp+ !y c 
always be kept at ! requir$ height4 ,su*
 a spot w d admirably z jump+-(f place1 
& "h ! birds may regul>ly be expect$ to 
re/ aft] _! night's w&]+ 9 se>* ( food4 
,! next /ep is to select ! fe$+ gr\nd1  
:i* %\ld be "s little di/ance f ! spot  
describ$2 pref]ably x %\ld be on high   
gr\nd1 s t ! ducks 9 _! flight h to pass
 ov] "s sort ( valley situat$ betwe5 !  
two places4 ,9 ?is valley ! guns are    
plac$ %ortly be=e ! fe$+ h\r1 & z t "t  
approa*es small deta*m5ts ( ducks w w+  
_! way across ! valley = _! meal1 & give
 mo/ sport+ %ots4 ,x is1 ( c\rse1       
ess5tial t ! re/+-place by day & ! fe$+ 
gr\nd are n too close toge!r1 z if ?is  
is ! case _m birds he>+ ! fir+ close at 
h& may be sc>$ f com+ to _! food4       
,illu/ration3 ,a ,,"r ,,& ,,left  ,aft] 
?is ! birds may be driv5 back ! rev]se  
way1 ?\gh naturally ?is practice _c be  
repeat$ m ?an once or twice 9 ! ye>1 or 
! birds w be sc>$ away f ! fe$+ gr\nd   
altoge!r4  ,if ! ho/ has a piece ( wat] 

at "r angles to ! flight ( ! birds _m w 
scatt] aft] pass+ ! guns & settle2 &    
lat] on ^! birds c be driv5 up & d[n !  
wat] z describ$ 9 ! fir/ me?od4  ,"o    
great advantage ( ! fir/ /age ( ?is plan
 is t ! birds mo/ly fall on dry l& & are
 easily retriev$4 ,if ! gr\nd does n l5d
 itself fav\rably = high birds !        
difficulty c be l>gely ov]come by plant+
 a belt ( trees & !n plac+ ! guns 9 !   
op5 a little di/ance back2 birds incl9$ 
to break out at ! sides c easily be     
flagg$ 94  ,x is a good plan to run "s  
wire along ! slope ( ! ducks' re/+      
place1 z x facilitates _! ris+ at once1 
& !y get into ! habit ( fly+ ! :ole     
di/ance in/ead ( walk+ "p ( x4  ,! ?ird 
sy/em has n[ to be consid]$4 ,x is ! mo/
 artificial ( all1 & is mo/ suitable 9  
cases :]e ! gr\nd does n l5d itself well
 = high birds1 or ! ho/ is n a man (    
unlimit$ means1 b is =tunate en\gh to h 
! %oot+ rights ov] a f9e /ret* ( wat]4  
,! ducks probably v>y consid]ably 9 size
 & age1 z ! own]1 n hav+ a l>ge bre$+   

/ock1 has n be5 able to put d[n a l>ge  
numb] ( eggs at once4  ,! "t has1 h[ev]1
 come1 :5 he has suffici5t to give 8    
fri5ds a v nice %oot4 ,x is1 ( c\rse1   
undesirable to fright5 or damage ei!r ! 
p9ion$ or immature birds1 & ^! latt] w h
 to be sort$ f ^? :i* are fit to kill4  
,! fir/ /ep w be to accu/om ! birds to  
fe$ inside a wire enclosure1 ) "s d>k   
build+1 su* z a b>n or /able1 at "o end 
( ! enclosure1 & connect$ ) x by means (
 a door4 ,! birds all hav+ be5 coax$    
inside ! enclosure to fe$1 %ut ! door ( 
! enclosure quietly1 & gradually drive !
 birds into ! d>k build+4 ,"h ! birds w 
be left all night1 & ow+ to ! d>kness w 
n damage !mselves4 ,a c]ta9 am\nt (     
v5tilation & "s wat] w be necess>y4     
,illu/ration3 ,,at ,,! ,,end ,,( ,,!    
,,day  ,x is a bad plan to give !m any  
food beyond a light meal ! ev5+ !y are  
caught1 & c]ta9ly no?+ next morn+1 z    
o!rwise !y w fly badly & heavily :5     
lib]at$4  ,next morn+1 ^? ducks t are   
fit to %oot w be sep>at$ f ! p9ion$     

birds & ^? t are immature1 & ^! latt] c 
be convey$ 9 hamp]s to any conv5i5t     
build+1 & f$4  ,!y w be kept 9 conf9em5t
 dur+ ! %oot4  ,n[ = ! %oot itself4 ,!  
man :o fe$s ! ducks has = a consid]able 
"t tra9$ ! ducks to fly 9 & out ( !     
paddock or y>d1 9 :i* ! enclosure is    
situat$4 ,?is is easily done by /ret*+ a
 piece ( wire1 :i* c be gradually       
increas$ 9 height1 across ! b\nd>y ( !  
paddock into :i* ! ducks come = _! food4
 ,!y soon get accu/om$ to ?is wire1 &   
realise !y w get no supp] if !y don't   
take ! tr\ble to fly4  ,z has already   
be5 m5tion$1 ! own] ( ! ducks has !     
%oot+ rights ov] a f9e piece ( wat]1 &  
on ?is wat]1 & 9 ! cov] :i* gr[s r\nd x1
 ! birds pass ! "t betwe5 _! fe$+ h\rs4 
,!re is sure to be a l9e ( will[ trees (
 "s sort or o!r ne> ! wat]'s edge1 & x  
is ov] ^! ! ducks mu/ be made to fly4   
,provid$ t a small clump ( l[ will[s1 or
 o!r cov]1 is plant$ "s di/ance f ! re>+
 field1 ) ! high will[ trees /&+ betwe5 
! two1 x is q easy1 by occasionally fe$+

 9 ?is little cov]1 to accu/om ! birds  
to look on x z _! sanctu>y1 & :5 lib]at$
 f _! en=c$ conf9em5t !y w make /raight 
= x1 & ov] ! tops ( ! int]v5+ trees4    
,all t has to be done n[ is to place !  
guns betwe5 ! tall will[ trees & !      
little cov]1 b well 9 ! op51 s t ! ducks
 may see !m & be induc$ to rise high] 9 
consequ5ce4  ,a little false cov] c n[  
be put along ! wire be=e allud$ to at ! 
edge ( ! re>+ field1 to make ! birds    
rise bett]1 & to prev5t ! guns f gett+  
any inkl+ ( y\r plan ( op]ations4       
,illu/ration3 ,,com+ ,,on ,a ,,side     
,,w9d  ,all is n[ ready1 & at a giv5    
signal ! birds :i* h be5 %ut up all     
night w be lib]at$ 9 deta*m5ts ( v>i$   
numb]s1 fir/ f ! d>k build+1 & secondly 
f ! wire enclosure4 ,?or\ghly fright5$ )
 _! unaccu/om$ imprisonm5t1 !y take w+  
at once1 & make ! be/ ( _! way to !     
sanctu>y1 giv+ ! guns mo/ sport+ %ots4  
,%\ld ! w9d be across _! l9e ( flight to
 ! sanctu>y1 y w ( c\rse h to flag !m 91
 z ducks always rise up w9d1 & love to  

fly aga9/ x2 no?+ !y dete/ s mu* z gett+
 _! fea!rs ruffl$4 ,x w be f\nd t !y    
always fly be/ on a dull /ormy day4  ,! 
piece ( wat] beh9d ! guns %\ld pref]ably
 run at "r angles to ! l9e ( flight ( ! 
birds f ! paddock to _! sanctu>y1 z aft]
 ! birds h pass$ ! guns !y w split up "r
 & left1 & settle at "o end or ! o!r4 ,!
 guns w next be plac$ s z to comm& !    
wat] f bank to bank1 "o ( !m be+ plac$1 
if necess>y1 9 a boat moor$ = ! purpose 
9 mid/ream4  ,! ducks are n[ driv5 ov] !
 guns aga91 d[n w9d = *oice1 & ?is c be 
foll[$ by a return drive1 :i* ends !    
day's sport4  ,an h\r lat] "s "o mu/    
se>* ! lake ?or\ghly = cripples1 & :5   
?is has be5 done ! bre$+ /ock & immature
 birds %\ld be releas$4  ,a modification
 ( ?is plan may be tri$1 ?\gh ,i d n    
recomm5d x4 ,in/ead ( ! birds be+       
lib]at$ f ! enclosure z already         
describ$1 !y are caught1 plac$ 9 hamp]s1
 & convey$ to "s conv5i5t spot at a     
di/ance f home1 & !n lib]at$ 9 ! numb]s 
requir$4 ,! birds naturally fly /raight 

home1 & sometimes fly well4 ,c>e mu/ be 
tak5 to set !m free among/ surr\nd+s !y 
"k1 o!rwise !y are c[$ l a rabbit       
lib]at$ away f its burr[4 ,x is also    
advisable to place "s ob/acle across _! 
l9e ( flight1 & ab\t sixty y>ds 9 front 
( ! guns1 s z to make ! birds rise well4
 ,! la/ plan has ! obvi\s disadvantage t
 ! ducks mu/ be cramp$ to a c]ta9 ext5t 
by _! imprisonm5t 9 ! hamp]s1 & x sav\rs
 too mu* ( ! artificial to ev] prove a  
complete success4 ,on ! o!r h&1 ! me?od 
describ$ z ! ?ird works well2 ! birds   
are n cr[d$1 b on be+ lib]at$ are glad  
to escape2 !y are fright5$ & mean to fly
 well3 b be/ ( all y\r bre$+ /ock &     
immature birds w1 if ?is pr9ciple be    
adopt$1 "k no?+ ( ! %oot1 & on be+ let  
g1 w settle d[n 9 a v few h\rs & w assi/
 9 tam+ ^? birds :i* h be5 %ot at b     
escap$4 ,:atev] y d be c>eful to conceal
 all y\r plans f y\r guns1 :5 artificial
 me?ods are adopt$2 ! day is always m   
enjoyable if ! gue/s _c see h[ _! ho/   
manages matt]s4  ,illu/ration3 ,,ladies 

,,9 ,,wait+  ,ducks are extraord9>ily   
good b>omet]s1 & by _! behavi\r on !    
wat] inv>iably give w>n+ ( com+ ra9 or  
/orm4  ,no "o :o has kept wild ducks    
long has fail$ to notice _! peculi>     
uneas9ess be=e bad wea!r4  ,sudd5ly "o  
bird ) out/ret*$ w+s w da% madly on !   
surface ( ! wat]1 & behav+ mu* 9 ! same 
way z a flapp] *as$ by a dog1 ?r[ itself
 into ! air1 & dive sudd5ly on alight+  
aga93 9 a mom5t ?is is tak5 up by e bird
 on ! wat]1 until "o sees ! extraord9>y 
sight ( two or ?ree hundr$ ducks behav+ 
j z if !y 7 mad4 ,!y da% 9 all          
directions & appe> q unable to control  
!mselves4 ,:5 all ?is is notic$ !re is  
pretty sure to be ra9 )9 twelve h\rs4   
,! la/ b by no means lea/ sport+ =m (   
duck %oot+ mu/ n[ receive a little      
att5tion4 ,i allude to ,flight ,%oot+4  
,z w9t] comes on ! ducks' natural       
in/9cts h begun to ass]t !mselves1 &    
regul>ly at dusk1 heads w g up1 & a     
peculi> uneas9ess manife/ itself3 v     
%ortly ! birds w fly (f1 aft] "o or two 

prelim9>y circles r\nd1 to ! fe$+ gr\nd 
!y h select$1 ?\gh if prop]ly f$ !y w n 
g f>4 ,all t has to be done is to obs]ve
 :]e ! ducks fe$1 & place ! guns ei!r 9 
! l9e ( flight betwe5 ! birds' home & _!
 fe$+ gr\nd or r\nd ! fe$+ gr\nd itself4
  ,no sport is m fasc9at+ ?an ?is--!    
absolute solitude1 ! dull r$ gl[ ( !    
light fad+ 9 ! we/1 gradually gett+     
fa9t] & fa9t]1 ! light %iv] ( ! re$s1 z 
a brea? ( w9d ru/les ?r\gh !m1 & be/ (  
all ! :i/le ( beat+ p9ions high ov]head1
 betok5+ ! welcome intellig5ce t birds  
are circl+ r\nd1 & mak+ a full          
inspection ( ! fe$+ gr\nd be=e alight+4 
,don't move n[ :atev] y d1 y\r retriev]1
 sitt+ close at y\r side1 w move 8 head 
q en\gh1 )\t y\r /irr+ z well3 if y wat*
 him y w soon get a pretty good idea z  
to :]e ! birds are4  ,pres5tly ! noise  
becomes l\d]1 & !n ) a l\d swi% ! birds 
come "r at y4 ,?r[ up y\r gun quietly & 
quickly & fire at once--don't dwell on  
y\r aim1 & let u hope t ! dog has no    
difficulty 9 retriev+ a bird t 0        

evid5tly cleanly kill$4  ,ducks1 l o!r  
birds1 always alight fac+ ! w9d1 & ?is  
fact mu/ be borne 9 m9d :5 select+ ! /&4
 ,%\ld !re be no w9d to speak (1 x is   
be/ to face ! fad+ light1 unless ! ducks
 are kn[n to make a practice ( com+ f "o
 p>ticul> direction4  ,!y are mo/       
caprici\s birds1 "h to-day1 & gone      
to-morr[1 b ?is all adds to ! fasc9ation
 ( ! sport4 ,i rememb] once kill+ eight 
ducks at a p>ticul> spot "o ev5+1 & n   
ev5 gett+ a %ot ! next1 al?\gh !re 7    
hundr$s ( ducks 9 ! neighb\rhood4 ,v    
diff]5t sport to ?is does "o get 9 !    
,ea/4 ,! man :o goes ,flight ,%oot+ !re 
is almo/ c]ta9 ( good sport1 provid$ he 
kn[s :at he is ab\t4 ,well ,i rememb] a 
c]ta9 ev5+ 9 ,upp] ,burmah4 ,x 0 at     
,alon on ! riv] ,*9dw91 & dur+ ! la/    
,burmese w>4  ,we 7 n suppos$ to g f> f 
! ,=t1 b if we took an arm$ escort ) u1 
no objection 0 rais$4  ,!re 0 a l>ge    
jheel ab\t two miles f ! ,=t1 :i* 0 mu* 
ov]%ot by ! small g>rison qu>t]$ !re1 & 
dur+ ! day little c\ld be se5 on its    

surface besides a few :i/l+ teal1 a duck
 t gives poor sport1 & is only j wor?   
eat+4  ,i discov]$1 h[ev]1 t at dusk    
hundr$s ( ducks return$ to ! jheel f all
 directions1 rema9+ !re probably until  
dawn4  ,foll[$ by my soldi] s]vant z an 
escort1 ,i made my way to ! jheel1 &    
hav+ made our passage 9 "o ( ! frail    
boats1 kn[n z dug-outs1 we ev5tually    
arriv$ at a small isl& :i* ,i _h select$
 = my /&4  ,nev] %all ,i =get t ev5+4 ,=
 ab\t tw5ty m9utes ,i %ot ne>ly z fa/ z 
,i c\ld load1 & n too well1 ,i am       
afraid4  ,ducks ( sev]al diff]5t        
v>ieties 7 com+ fa/1 & at all angles &  
elevations4  ,_m an old sportsman w     
und]/& my difficulties4 ,i _h ( c\rse no
 second gun1 no ejector1 & at times ,i  
utt]ly =got ! motto ,fe/9a l5te4  ,at   
la/ x 0 ov]1 & ,i w5t home mod]ately    
satisfi$ ) ab\t five-&-tw5ty ducks1     
leav+1 alas6 a l>ge numb] unpick$1 z we 
_h no dog4  ,:5 y\r %oot is ov]1 & !    
season is draw+ to its close1 ! only "w 
left among/ ! ducks is to select ! bre$+

 /ock = next season4  ,! be/ to keep are
 long & well-furni%$ birds1 z !y always 
fly bett]1 & lay m eggs ?an ! %ort      
?ick-set v>iety3 !y %\ld h raki%-look+  
heads1 ) long bills1 *rome yell[ t+$ )  
gre5 9 ! case ( ! drake1 & dull br[n    
fr+$ ) bright orange 9 ! case ( ! duck4 
,! eyes %\ld be set high 9 ! head1 & !  
head itself appe> to be slightly angul> 
9 appe>ance1 & n too r\nd at ! cr[n4 ,i 
believe 9 fairly light col\r$ birds1 z  
,i h always notic$ t any /range birds t 
arrive appe> light] 9 col\r ?an my own1 
& ,i ?9k t ! d>k] & co>s] birds d n fly 
s well4 ,9 any case get rid ( all %ort  
?ick-set birds--!y w d = ! table1 b n = 
sport4  ,9 tak+ leave ( my read]s1 ,i   
hope t ,i may h be5 =tunate en\gh to    
secure a little ( _! int]e/1 & t ?is    
book may prove ( "s assi/ance to ^? :o1 
l myself1 love wild duck1 & consid] a   
few h\rs sp5t daily 9 _! company an     
education & a treat4     ,pr9t$ by      
,,ballantyne1 ,,hanson  ,,co4           
,ed9burgh  ,london