128 MRS. BASLEY'S WESTERN POULTRY BOOK 



in the Runners on account of the smallness of the bones ; the meat 

 is also of a much finer quality, finely grained and juicy and re- 

 sembling in flavor the much extolled canvas-back duck. The eggs 

 of the Indian Runner are an ivy white in color, greatly resembling 

 Minorca eggs, very delicate in taste, and in England their eggs are 

 in great demand in the tuberculosis sanitariums on account of their 

 delicate flavor, richness and nutritive value, and absolute freedom 

 from tuberculosis taint, and there is a higher price paid for them 

 than the hen's eggs. 



The standard color of the Indian Runners in this country is fawn 

 and white. In England they also have the black and white, the 

 brown and white and the pure white. 



The Rouen 



The Rouen duck, so named for a city in Normandy, where they 

 are supposed to have originated, are still bred there in large num- 

 bers. The Rouen duck is a fine market bird, but does not mature 

 as early as the Pekin or Aylesbury. It is easily fattened, hardy and 

 quiet in disposition and not as nervous as the Pekin. 



The Rouen drake is a magnificent colored bird. Neck and head 

 are irridescent green, breast wine color and the lower part of the 

 body delicate steel gray, penciled with very fine black lines. About 

 June a remarkable change takes place in the drake. He begins to 

 lose his lustrous feathers, those of the neck dropping out, being re- 

 placed by feathers of a russet brown. The magnificently colored 

 drake is clothed in sober hues for the summer. In October he again 

 resumes his gorgeous raiment. 



The Buff Orpington 



Buff Orpington ducks are a breed of Mr. William Cook's mak- 

 ing. He named them as he did the Orpington hens, after his own 

 place in Kent, England. The color of the Buff Orpingtons is a soft 

 shade of buff, the drakes having rich brown heads. The Buff Or- 

 pington has a good deal of the Indian Runner blood in it, and from 

 this source its laying qualities are gathered. Mr. Cook claims they 

 are better layers than any other of the duck family. Many of them 

 lay a beautiful green egg, although a greenish-white is the usual 

 color. These ducks weigh a pound and a half more than the Indian 

 Runner, are large and more plump birds, maturing early, and one 

 of the best market birds. 



The Muscovy 



The Muscovy Duck is not largely bred in this country. They 

 are not like any other ducks and do not interbreed with others. 

 It is a native of South America, where it may still be found in its 

 wild state. It comes in two varieties, white and black and white. 

 The males are much larger than the females. I had one weighing 

 fourteen pounds. Both sexes have caruncles at the base of the beak ; 

 these become larger every year, giving them a vulture-like appear- 

 ance. Muscovy ducks are rather awkward in the water, preferring 



