hing about in all directions in chase of flies, &c. Nothing seems to
hurt them at this time, and I once remember seeing three of my young
ducks devour a bee apiece after first crippling it. I have noticed a
bird swallow a bee alive, and have also seen one stung, but no ill
effects resulted.

It is a good plan now to give the birds a little boiled rabbit, chopped
up fine; it makes a change from the crissel, and ducklings must have
some animal food as a substitute for the slugs, worms, and many
etceteras that they pick up in their natural state. The chopped rabbit
should be mixed with the meal.

One word of advice before going farther. Previous to placing a number of
coops containing the old ducks close together, ascertain carefully
whether there are any vicious ones amongst them--some are very savage,
and will immediately peck to death any unwary little one which enters a
coop not its proper home. It is best in these cases to isolate the old
bird and her brood altogether, if you have plenty of room, or, failing
that, to place her by herself in one corner of the run.

If bad weather comes on, a pinch of "Cardiac" (a kind of tonic sold by
Messrs. Spratt) may be added to the food, but I only advocate its use
occasionally. The chief point I am anxious to impress on my readers is,
don't let your birds get cold and wet; if you do, ground is lost which
can never be recovered. A capital plan is to cover some portion of the
run with sacking or a waterproof sheet to form a shelter against
excessive heat or a sudden hail-storm. The most delicate time, in my
opinion, is just when they are getting their shoulder feathers, and if
you get them safely through this period the worst is over.

[Illustration: WARE WIRE!]

When they are about a fortnight old begin to give them some wheat in
their drinking water; that known to farmers as "seconds" is best. I am a
strong advocate of steeping the wheat before feeding, as I think it
renders it more digestible, though this is not so necessary if one uses
"seconds." The ducks having got to eat wheat nicely, introduce a little
barley, and by the time they are seven weeks old you can afford to do
without meal entirely, and it will be time to take the birds down to the
water which is to be their home. The greatest obstacle to success in
rearing during the early stages of a young wild duck's life is the
extraordinary knack they have of getting their heads and backs dirty.
This is a most serious m