DUCKS 129 



The common duck. Like the ordinary mongrel fowl, the com- 

 mon duck (sometimes called the puddle duck, because, when it 

 cannot find water elsewhere, it appears to be perfectly satisfied 

 with the filthiest puddles) is much the same in all parts of the 

 world and is a very inferior bird in comparison with ducks of the 

 improved races. Common ducks are usually very slow growers 

 and weigh at maturity from three to four pounds each. As a 

 rule they are very indifferent layers, laying only in the spring. 

 They are of various colors. 



Improved races. Nearly all our improved races of ducks are 

 of foreign origin. At the poultry exhibition at Boston in 1849 

 the only kinds exhibited were the Aylesbury, the Muscovy, and 

 the ornamental Wood ducks. 



The Aylesbury Duck is a large white duck developed as a 

 local variety in the vale of Aylesbury, in England. It has a 

 flesh-colored bill, and legs of a pale orange color. Although the 

 favorite market duck in England, and early known in America, 

 it never became a favorite here. 



The Muscovy Duck is, as has been stated, of a different species 

 from our other useful breeds. It is a native of South America 

 and is supposed to have been taken to Europe in the seventeenth 

 century. It was probably brought to North America from Europe 

 less than a hundred years ago. It differs from ducks of Mallard 

 origin in several other particulars besides the naked head with 

 its bright-red, carunculated skin. The male is very much 

 larger than the female. The tail is longer and more depressed. 

 There is an entire absence of red pigment in the plumage. The 

 natural color is black and white, unevenly distributed. This va- 

 riety is called the Colored Muscovy Duck. Many specimens are 

 nearly black. The White Muscovy Duck is an albino variety. 

 By crossing these two varieties a blue variety is sometimes 

 obtained, but, although Blue Muscovy Ducks have been made 

 at various times, fanciers have never taken enough interest in 

 them to encourage the originators to continue their breeding. 



