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represented as very prolific in a warm climate. The drakes often attain 

 ten pounds weight when well fattened, while the female hardly ever exceeds 

 six pounds. BROWNE says " the Musk duck, in a wild state, is found only in 

 South America." This is a great mistake, for we have often observed them 

 in their wild state in the inlets or bays on Lake Ontario, and as far inland as 

 Cayuga Lake, where they have been shot in great numbers and forwarded to 

 the New- York and Philadelphia markets. It is easily distinguished by a red 

 membrane surrounding the eyes and covering the cheeks. 



THE WOOD OB SUMMER DUCK. 



This beautiful bird, one of the finest varieties we have, is easily reared 

 and domesticated, and is familiarly known in all parts of the United States. 

 The late M. YASSAR, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, reared them successfully for a 

 number of years, and had them domesticated to such a degree as to permit a 

 person to stroke them on the back with the hand. 



THE CRESTED DUCK. 



LATHAM, in speaking of the Crested duck, gives the following character- 

 istics of it : " This inhabitant of the extremity of America is of the size of 

 the wild duck, but is much longer, for it measures twenty-five inches in 

 length ; a tuft adorns its head ; a straw-yellow, mixed with rusty-colored 

 spots, is spread over the throat and front of the neck ; the wing speculum 

 blue beneath, edged with white ; the bill, wing and tail are black ; irides red, 

 and all the rest of the body ashy-gray." 



OTHER BREEDS. 



There are a few other pretty varieties of ducks not very common. The 

 White and Black Poland are among the number. They are crested, breed 

 early and are excellent layers. The Labrador also is a rare duck, and highly 

 * prized. 



