DUCKS 133 



section by many others. The story of their history in England is 

 much more plausible than that of their origin in India. When 

 the breed was shown on the Continent of Europe it was at 

 once recognized by fanciers there as an improved variety of a 

 common duck. 



Compared with other ducks the Indian Runner is a remark- 

 able layer, but it does not, as many admirers of the breed claim, 



FIG. 127. Flock of White Indian Runner Ducks. (Photograph from Bureau 

 of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture) 



surpass fowls in egg production, and the market for duck eggs 

 is so limited that it is easily overstocked. 



Blue Swedish Ducks and Buff Orpington Ducks are simply 

 color varieties of an improved type of the common duck. There 

 are several other quite well-marked varieties in Europe that have 

 not been seen in this country. 



Ornamental ducks. The ornamental ducks of the same species 

 as the common duck, and derived either from common ducks or 

 directly from the Mallard, are the East India Duck, the Black, 

 White, and Gray Call Ducks, and the Crested White Duck. 



