Varieties, 39 



actly alike ; different in their size, tlieir 

 colours, and frequently in their general 

 form, they seem the mere creatures of art ; 

 and having been so long dependent upon 

 man for support, they seem to assume forms 

 entirely suited to his necessities. 



The only variety of the common duck 

 among us, is the Rhone duck, imported 

 from France, generally of a dark-coloured 

 plumage, larger size, and supposed to im- 

 prove our breed. They are of darker flesh, 

 and more savoury than the EngHsh duck, 

 but somewhat coarse. Rhone ducks have 

 been so constantly imported for a great 

 number of years, that they are very gene- 

 rally mixed with our native breed. The 

 English duck, particularly the white variety, 

 and when they chance to have very light- 

 coloured flesh, are never of so high and sa- 

 voury flavour as the darker colours. Mus- 

 covy and other foreign varieties of the duck, 

 are kept rather out of curiosity than for the 

 table. 



The white Aylesbury are a beautiful and 

 ornamental stock, matching well in colour 



