atter, and causes great mortality unless
attended to. It is generally caused by the food adhering to their heads
and cheeks; being of a sticky nature, it will often, if neglected, cause
inflammation to the eyes and eventually blindness. If once their heads
get dirty, their backs soon follow suit, as the act of "preening" soon
transfers the dirt from the head to the back.

This curse to young ducks is most prevalent in wet weather, and it is
therefore most necessary to constantly change the ground so as to keep
the birds as clean as possible; if once the old bird gets dirty, it is
good-bye to the general good health of her brood.

The only remedy, if matters become serious, is to get some tepid water
and soap, and carefully wash the affected places with a soft sponge,
taking care to free the down or feathers which have adhered to the skin.
A hot sunny day is the best for the purpose, as the young birds then
have every chance of getting dry. If the old bird is dirty, try to allow
her a good wash in a tub or small tank; she must, however, be watched,
otherwise she may leave her young ones in the lurch. If your ducks are
pinioned it is easy to manage this bath, and to prevent the birds
straying afterwards from their young. When the ducklings are seven weeks
old choose a nice warm day, and take them down to the water: I say a
warm day, as owing to their delight at getting to their natural element,
they are very liable to overdo their bathing at first, and, should the
day be cold, the casualty list will be a big one next morning.

[Illustration: WIRED IN ON THE WATER]

At this time it is best to wire off a piece of land and water, making
the whole into one large run, and taking care that there is some shelter
on land for the young birds. It is a good plan to bring down the old
birds, coops and all, to their temporary home, keeping the mothers shut
up in the coops for the present. Their presence gives confidence to the
ducklings, and their sharp warning "quacks" tell them when danger is
about, and also emphasise the fact that there do exist such things as
gulls, carrion crows, cats, dogs, &c., and that in future the young
hopefuls must look out for themselves. Willow trees planted at the
water's edge and kept about five to six feet high form admirable
protection from bad weather and winged vermin, and also give welcome
shelter from the heat of the sun, whilst they undoubtedly add to the
amount of insect life in the run.