6o Bird -Lore common hen. After these Ducks grew up, one day they joined a flock of their mates, bound for their northern breeding-grounds. In the autumn they returned, with their numbers greatly increased. The Ducks seemed to recognize me, and were glad to get back. I always kept a supply of wheat scattered about the pond for them to feed on. As winter approached, and many flocks were flying south, my Ducks grew somewhat restless and evidently held several protracted mass meetings, to decide on what was best to do. At length quiet prevailed, and the decision seemed to be that it would be very unwise to leave their protector, plenty of good food and an abundance of open water, to take the long, tiresome flight; so they stayed with me all winter, and now remain all the time except during the nesting season. My neighbors, whose grain-fields my Ducks frequently visit, have no great love for them and try to kill them off, but the Ducks are too smart and watchful to suffer much loss." A WILD DUCK PRESERVE
