OTHER VARIETIES. 



581 



centre of breast and belly black ; the feathers of 

 back and shoulders dark brown edged with 

 lighter colour, tail black, rest of flanks and 

 shoulders mostly brown pencilled across with 

 black. Both sexes are marked alike. The Red- 

 billed Whistler (Z). autumnalis) has a red bill 

 and pinky legs, crown of the head chestnut, 

 cheeks and throat greyish white, lower neck 

 and back and shoulders chestnut well bronzed, 

 the belly, thighs, and tail black. 



Of varieties usually exhibited, the only other 

 calling for special mention is the Indian Spotted 

 Bill duck. This is a true duck of the Anas 

 family {A. poecilorJiyncha). It breeds 

 Other freel)', and often crosses with others 



Varieties. in a pond, especially with the 



Mallard — it is, in fact, the wild duck 

 of India. The bill is black, with a red border at 

 the base and a bright yellow spot at the tip. 

 The drake's head is brown, his breast paler 

 brown with dark brown spots, or dark brown 

 broadly edged with pale, the back rather darker, 

 till the tail and stern become black. The 

 wing-bar is probably the most brilliant green 

 possessed by any duck, with a band of black and 

 white above and below. Both sexes are nearly 

 alike, but the duck rather duller in colour. This 

 duck has been by turns very popular, and again 

 quite neglected. We remember the few then in 

 England once selling readily at £\o for a pair. 



Several other of the wild British ducks are 

 very handsome, and though not adapted to close 

 confinement or exhibition, are often seen on 

 ornamental waters in parks and public gardens. 

 The short and chubby Pochards are often kept 

 thus, being generally knov/n as " diving ducks," 

 and watched with interest on that account. The 

 Shoveller and Common Wigeon are frequently 

 thus seen. Many of the wild " British " 

 varieties can often be obtained at a cheap rate 

 in Leadenhall Market, or at the annual sales of 

 waterfowl now held by the managers of the 

 larger public parks. They need for successful 

 breeding the natural surroundings and range 

 mentioned at the commencement of this section, 

 and to be left much to Nature, and are not 

 adapted for small runs. 



In judging the larger kinds of ducks, the 

 chief duty of the judge is to distinguish between 

 mere cramming or gorging of the crops just 

 previous to his awards, and real size and weight 

 of frame. Much harm has been done even by 

 the recognition of a degree of fattening which 

 ruins the birds as breeders. The Standards of 

 the Poultry Club for the recognised classes 

 sufficiently deal with other points, and are as 

 follows: 



AYLESBURY DUCKS 



GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 



Head. — Large, straight, and long. Bill : Long 

 and broad, and when viewed from the side the 

 outline almost straight from the top of the skuU, 

 the head and bill measuring from six to eight inches. 

 Eyes : FuU. 



Neck. — Long, slender, and slightly curved. 



Body. — Long, broad, and very deep. Breast : 

 Full and prominent. Keel : Quite straight from 

 breast to stern. Back : Straight and almost flat. 

 Wings : Strong, and carried closely to the sides ; 

 fairly high, but not touching across the saddle. 

 Tail : Short, only slightly elevated, and composed 

 of stiff feathers, the drake's having two or three 

 well curled feathers in the centre. 



Legs and Feet. — Legs : Very strong and short, 

 the bones thick, well set so as to balance the body. 

 Toes : Straight, connected by web. 



Carriage. — Horizontal, the keel practically parallel 

 with the ground. 



Weight. — Drake : 10 lb. Duck : 9 lb. 



Plumage. — Bright and glossy, resembUng satin. 



Legs 



Serious defects : Plumage other than white ; bill 

 other than white or flesh colour ; crooked back, 

 wry taU, or any other deformity ; ducks so heavy 

 behind that in the opinion of the judge they will 

 not breed. 



CAYUGA DUCKS 

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 



Head. — Large. Bill : Long, wide, and flat, well 

 set in a straight hne from the tip of the eye. Eyes : 

 Full. 



Neck. — Long and tapering, and with a graceful 

 curve. 



Body. — Long, broad, and deep. Breast : Pro- 

 minent ; keel well forward, and forming a straight 

 under-hne from stem to stern. Tail : Carried well 

 out and closely folded, the drake's having two or 

 three well-curled feathers in the centre. 



Legs and Feet. — Legs : Large and strong boned, 

 placed midway in the body, giving the bird a carriage 

 similar to that of the Rouen. Toes : Straight, con- 

 nected by web. 



