VARIETIES OF DOMESTIC DUCKS. 



1197 



disability of soon falling behind, the abdominal protuberance being devel- 

 oped at an early age. 



Thev are the largest as they are the most quiet of ducks, and seidom 

 wander. When fat, they have been made to weigh nearly twenty pounds 

 the pair, and drakes of nine or ten weeks old have been known to weigh 

 more than twelve pounds the pair. The llesh is most excellent 

 and they are prolific layers of large, rather thick-shelled, bluish-green 



V. The Common Wliite Duck. 



This duck is too well known to need description. They are not unlike 

 the Aylesbury, except in size. Since the introduction of the larger 

 breeds, they have fallen into disrepute and are now seldom found pure. 



PAIR OF WHITE MUSCOVY DUCKS. 



VI. Cayuga Black Duck. 



Of the origin of this famous American duck, nothing positive is known. 

 They have been bred about Cayuga lake, New York, for many years. 

 They are essentially a water duck, rarely rising from the water, and so 

 clumsy on land that they seldom wander far. In color they are black, or 

 rather deep brown black, with a white collar about the neck, and white 

 flicks on the breast ; the drakes usually show more white than the ducks, 

 and the green tint on the head and neck being far more pronounced ; in 

 fact the duck should have but a faint strip of green on the head, neck and 

 wings. In breeding, the darkest males should be selected, since they in- 

 cline to breed to white. They are good layers, producing about eififhty 



