130 



OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



The Rouen Duck takes its name from the town of Rouen, in 

 the north of France, though the type seems to have been common 

 over quite a large area and not peculiar to the vicinity of that 

 town. It is like the Mallard in color, and is just such a duck as 

 by good care and selection for size might be developed at any 

 time from common ducks of that color. Rouen Ducks are said 



FIG. 124. Rouen Ducks, Brook View Farm, Newbury, Massachusetts 



to have been well known in the south of England early in the 

 nineteenth century. When they were brought to this country is 

 not known. Although for a long time they have been familiar 

 to those who attend poultry shows, and have been widely distrib- 

 uted in small numbers, they have never been extensively bred 

 because the Rouen, having dark plumage, is not desirable for 

 the production of young ducks for market. When mature it 

 dresses clean and the quality of its flesh is unsurpassed. 



