THE GALLINACEOUS TRIBES 



243 



Indian Runm.k I)h k> (.\1ai,I'. ami I k-mali:) 



with animal food, which is essential to their 

 growth. The breeder puts on big wooden 

 shoes and proceeds to kick up the earth in the 

 field in order to force out the worms whicli 

 form the animal food of the ducklings. It is 

 very comical to those who are present 

 at this performance for the 

 first time to see these men 

 hojjping about their fields. 

 Most of the young ducks, 

 as we have already said, are 

 not kept longer than twelve 

 weeks, because after that time it is diffi- 

 cult to sell them on account of the new 

 feathers which then begin to grow. To have 

 well-fertilized eggs from the old ducks not more 

 than six or eight should be given to one drake. 

 They must also have sufficient water within 

 reach, either flowing naturally through the 

 field or in artificial ponds. 



In America we have special establishments 

 for the raising of ducks, many of which raise 

 twenty thousand yearly. For this it is neces- 

 sary to have great knowledge and experience, 

 and also a large capital. Most duck-raising 

 establishments are provided with a natural flow 

 of water, and have coops or shelters accom- 

 modating from forty to fifty birds. As these 

 establishments are of great e.xtent many of 

 them are furnished, for convenience, with little 

 railways built four or five feet above the soil, 

 which cause an enormous savintr of time and 



Si'ICEU 



trouble in the distribution of food. As yet 

 Europe has no such establishments as ours. 

 She will doubtless have them some day when 

 her attention is called to them and she makes 

 a special study of their advantages. 



It is easier to raise ducks than fowls, pro- 

 vided the breeder has sufficient space at his 

 command. They give less trouble and are al- 

 most completely free from disease. Those most 

 frequently met with are the Komii duck, a 

 product of French breeders, which may, by 

 good right, be considered one of the very best 

 species. They are often admired in their full 

 beauty at poultry shows, to which they are sent 

 in large numbers. They are not only beautiful 

 birds but also fine layers, and the same may be 

 said of another French duck, the Toulouse. 



Good ducks are found in Belgium, where they 

 are taking pains to make their national breeds 

 famous. In England the duck par cxcclhnce 

 is the Aylesbury, which has made itself famous 

 for its good qualities. It is very 

 hardy, grows very fast, and 

 lays man\' eggs. There is 

 no poultry show in any 

 country where it will not 

 l)e seen, and the impression 

 it makes is most agreeable, with 

 its white plumage, red beak, and yel- 

 low legs. The Pckin duck, which the 

 uninitiated can seldom distingLiish from the 

 Aylesbury duck, has also made itself a reputa- 

 tion for its excellence ; as far as popularity is 

 concerned it untloubtedly occupies a foremost 



'_1-IL 



>i^-\!r 



Muscovv Ducks (Male and Female) 



