160 AQUATIC FOWL. 



be more prolific than the ordinary kinds. In a collection of 

 water-fowl, they are kept more for the purpose of variety than 

 utility, as they are smaller than our improved breeds. The beak 

 has a considerable curve downwards. 



THE PENGUIN DUCK 



Has been imported from Bombay, and is the domestic duck of 

 that country. They are more curious than ornamental ; they 

 are of a dirty dun colour, with their legs farther behind than 

 our ordinary duck, which obliges them to stand nearly erect, 

 when making an effort at quick motion, when on land. 



THE BLACK DUCK, 



Imported by the London Zoological Society, from Buenos Ayres, 

 is a very beautiful domestic duck. They are perfectly black, 

 presenting a splendid green and purple metallic appearance. It 

 is a singular fact that these birds occasionally throw out a num- 

 ber of white feathers, and it frequently happens that they moult 

 entirely white. Another singularity is, that, at the beginning of 

 the season they lay black eggs, the colouring matter of which is 

 easily removed; on continuing to lay, the colour gradually 

 reduces to that of our ordinary duck-eggs. 



THE TOP-KNOT DUCKS 



Are sometimes very handsome, but the top-knot does not seem 

 to be confined to any particular variety ; I have had the white 

 Aylesbury, and Dutch hook-billed, both white and coloured, 

 with top-knots ; and cannot account for it, but can only state the 

 fact, that I have kept top-knot ducks and drakes together, which 

 produced perfectly plain-headed birds. 



THE MUSK DUCK, corrupt MUSCOVY, 



Is a native of South America, where it is found in both a wild and 

 tame state ; it is an entirely distinct species from our common 

 duck, and the drake much larger. It has a red, carunculated 

 membrane covering the cheeks, and extending behind the eyes, 

 and is crested ; it has a musky odour, from which it is named ; 

 the female is much less than the male. In a wild state it is of a 

 dark, brownish black, but found of all colours in a domestic state. 



