DUCKS, GEESE AND GUINEAS 115 
the eggs are large and of good flavor. Some 
strains lay white and other strains greenish-tinged 
eggs. Of course the pure white eggs are to be pre- 
ferred, so that when buying stock, one should be 
careful to learn the color of the eggs produced. 
‘Day-old ducklings may be purchased for about 25 
cents each and are easily reared with a hen. 
There are three varieties of Indian Runners — 
penciled, fawn and white and pure white. The 
penciled Runners represent the English type, but 
the American standard recognizes, as yet, only the 
fawn and white variety. Some breeders insist that 
the penciled birds are more certain to lay white eggs 
than the American type, and are more prolific, but 
the latter are more commonly seen. Doubtless all 
three varieties will be standardized eventually. 
The whites are rather scarce at present and bring 
higher prices than the other kinds. 
Given proper care, Indian Runner ducks are easy 
to raise and require no water to swim in, although 
they demand a surprisingly large amount to drink 
and dabble in. It is necessary that they have water 
always before them and in a receptacle deep enough 
so that they can dip their beaks into the water to 
the nostril openings, for these openings often be- 
