DUCKS AND THEIR VARIETIES 127 



All ducks are of a timid disposition, and the Pekin more so than 

 those of other breeds ; in fact, they will injure themselves so badly 

 f frightened by cat, dog or a stranger, or by being'caught up, that 

 they may have to be killed. A fright, if not fatal, will take off 

 several days growth of the young, and stop the laying of the adult 

 ducks. 



The Indian Runner 



Many years ago Indian Runners were brought from India to 

 England by a sea captain, hence the name "Indian," while the "Run- 

 ners" came from their great agility. They do not waddle like other 



Indian Runner Duck 



ducks, but run more like a plover, and are very quick in their move- 

 ments. In England their good qualities quickly captivated the 

 thrifty farmers. Individual ducks there have made a record of 225 

 eggs per annum. Here in California I had ten ducks which laid 

 2331 eggs in one year. I think the climate of California more nearly 

 resembles that of their native land, and their laying is never checked 

 by cold or snow, so that here they lay better than in England or 

 the Eastern States. In India they were bred for their laying and 

 table qualities, no attention being paid to the color of their plum- 

 age; all the Indians cared for was the eggs, and they layed eggs 

 galore. English breeders claim that eight-year-old ducks of this 

 breed will lay as well as yearlings, and on this account, and their 

 capacity for foraging, they have become very popular in England 

 and Australia. 



While the weight of the matured Pekin is greater than that of 

 the Indian Runner, there is more meat in proportion to their weight 



