Birds of Farm and Zoo [71 



a low open shed to protect them from snow and driving rains is 

 sufficient. Their thick feathers and down form an almost weather- 

 proof coat which shields them from the foulest weather. 



The Muscovy Duck: Ducks are raised more commonly for meat 

 than for their eggs, though some breeds are good egg producers. 

 There are ten outstanding varieties of ducks that are widely bred 

 for meat, eggs, or both. One of the most interesting to observe is 

 the "Muscovy" variety, which despite its name is native to Latin 

 America. It cannot quack in the familiar manner of most ducks. 

 Instead, it makes a hoarse, raucous hissing sound; and it has the 

 further peculiarity of wagging its tail from side to side like a dog. 

 The Muscovy duck is a better flier than other domestic ducks, and 

 it is not unusual to see one perched on top of a barn. Muscovys 

 are almost completely self-supporting. They make their own nests, 

 hatch their young, and raise them with no more than a feed of 

 corn once or twice a day. 



Fresh-Water and Salt-Water Ducks: As the ancestors of our domes- 

 tic breeds, wild ducks are among the better known of bird families. 

 You may have some conflicting stories to straighten out abou*. 

 them. Your boy may say: 



"Ducks are good divers." 



His pal contradicts: "I've watched them! They never do any- 

 thing more than stick their heads under water and raise their 

 tails. I don't call that diving." 



Actually both boys may be right; there are two groups or sub- 

 families of ducks, each with different habits. One group lives in 

 rivers and ponds, the other in bays and the open sea. The pond and 

 river ducks do very little diving. They dabble along the shore 

 and probe down into the mud where the water is shallow. The 

 sea ducks, however, are expert divers. They may go under water 

 150 feet or more! 



The canvasback is probably the most familiar of the sea ducks. 

 One of the best known of the river and pond group is the mallard. 

 Many varieties of domestic ducks are descended from this bird. 



