AYLRSBURY DUCKS. 



271 



with a slight fleshy excrescence where the feathers com- 

 mence. Eye full, bright, and quite black. The legs should 

 be strong, with the claws well webbed, and in colour of a 

 rich dark yellow or orange. Body rather long, but broad 

 across the shoulders, and the neck rather long and slender. 

 The drake should have one, and sometimes has two, sharp 



Aylesbury Duck. 



curls in his tail. The keel or breast-bone ought to be long, 

 deep, and straight. 



The delicate flesh-colour of the bill is of the greatest 

 importance for exhibition, though of course not for market 

 only. Besides being of good breed in this respect, 

 plenty of sharp grit or gravel must always be kept in 

 large water troughs, in which their grain is given ; they 

 must be kept out of much sun, and not kept on ferruginous 

 soil, either of which stains the bird, as will yellow maize ; 



