156 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



to be molested, just as hens will. I have never had a Muscovy 

 egg fail to hatch, when set on by a Muscovy duck. Have also 

 never lost a duckling when the mother duck was left with her 

 brood. They are the most fearless variety of ducks I know 

 of, and quite easy to tame and make pets of if one has patience. 

 Other varieties are too nervous and excitable, the Pekin being 

 notably so. Another pleasant feature, where one has near 

 neighbors, is the inability to quack. The Muscovy talks in a 

 hoarse whisper, and never makes enough noise to annoy any 

 one. The loud quacking of ordinary ducks makes them objec- 

 tionable to any one within hearing not having a monetary 

 interest. 



As a market duck the Muscovy is excellent. Plump, fuU- 

 meated breast, and the minimum amount of fat, even on Ai 

 market specimens. The defects in the Muscovy as an ideal 

 market duck and that prevent its more general growth are three 

 in number. First is the difficulty in yarding them. They will 

 require quite high fences, and without crippling them when 

 they are half grown no fence will retain them. This requires 

 covered pens and excessive cost. Second, the difference in 

 weight of males and females. A flock at ten weeks old will 

 not average as large as a flock of Pekins of same age. The 

 Muscovy males will run overweight, but the females will be 

 considerably smaller. Third, but not least, is the pugnacity 

 of the male bird during the breeding season. He will tackle 

 anything living, and with anywhere near an even chance will 

 come out ahead. With his powerful wings striking with hard 

 butts and sharp claws, he makes a formidable antagonist. 



Will never forget the first Muscovy drake I attempted to 

 catch. I caught him by the neck, as I would have any other 

 duck. Mr. Muscovy objected, however, brought both feet up 

 quickly, and catching me at the wrist with his toenails, 

 scratched clear to the ends of my fingers. It was several weeks 

 before I lost the traces of my reminder, and you can rest 

 assured I knew how to capture a Muscovy after that. 



The Cayuga should weigh as much as the Pekin, and so, of 

 course is larger than our Wild Cayuga duck. They do not 

 average anywhere near the standard weight and make a very 

 acceptable substitute for the wild duck in the market. It is a 

 beautiful bird in the sun, with its iridescent, greenish-black 

 plumage, and will beautify any place. 



