BOUEN DUCKS. 233 



For the gravel mentioned by Mr. Fowler, it is difficult to 

 find a perfect substitute. Any other kind of clean white 

 gravel may, however, be tried, and it may be well worth while 

 for intending prize-takers to transport a quantity to their yards. 

 It is also very beneficial to the paleness of their bills to let the 

 ducks out on the wet grass in the very early morning, before 

 the sun is up. Besides the tanning influence of the sun, it is 

 well known that ferruginous soil has a peculiar specific effect 

 on the bill, often turning it yellow in a single week. A bill 

 thus stained can never be paled again ; and Aylesbury Ducks 

 should, therefore, never be let out on land containing iron 

 ore. 



" Rouen Ducks," Mr. Fowler states, " are reared much the 

 same as Aylesbury, but are not nearly so forward, rarely 

 laying till February or March. They are very handsome, and 

 will weigh eight or nine pounds each ; and, as a rule, do much 

 better in most parts of England than the Aylesburys. Their 

 flesh is excellent, and at Michaelmas is, I think, superior to 

 the other. 



" The best general description of the Rouens in plumage is 

 to be precisely like the wild mallard, but larger. The drake 

 should have a commanding appearance, with a rich green and 

 purple head, and a fine long bill, formed and set on the head 

 as I have described for the Aylesburys. The bill should look 

 clean, of a yellow ground, with a very pale wash of green over 

 it, and the ' bean ' at the end of it jet black. His neck should 

 have a sharp, clearly-marked white ring round it, not quite 

 meeting at the back. Breast a deep rich claret-brown to well 

 below the water-line, then passing into the under body-colour, 

 which is a beautiful French grey, shading into white near the 

 tail. The back ought to be a rich greenish-black quite up to 

 the tail feathers, the curls in which are a rich dark green. 

 Wings a greyish-brown, with distinct purple and white ribbon- 

 uiark well developed. The flight-feathers must be grey and 



