CALL AND FANCY DUCKS. 279 



and the flesh is fine in quality ; but they do not fatten, and 

 are not profitable for table. Their value is as layers and 

 foragers, and they are certainly the most prolific of any 

 breed in this country, though they do not much, if at all, 

 surpass the standard to which American breeders have 

 brought the Pekin. 



CALL DUCKS are principally kept as ornamental fowl. 

 The voice of the drake is peculiar, resembling a low whistle. 

 They vary in colour, one variety precisely resembling the 

 Aylesbury in plumage, but with a yellow bill, and the other 

 the Rouen ; but in both cases bearing the same relation to 

 them as Game Bantams do to the Game fowl. The flesh is 

 good ; but there is too little to repay breeding them for the 

 table, and their only proper place is on the lake. 



The EAST INDIAN, or BUENOS AYRES BLACK DUCK, is a 

 most beautiful bird. The plumage is black, with a rich 

 green lustre, and any white, grey, or brown feathers are 

 fatal. They should be bred for exhibition as small as 

 possible, never exceeding 5 and 4 Ib. As they usually pair, 

 equal numbers should be kept of both sexes. 



Many most beautiful varieties of small foreign ducks are 

 often shown, the most common being the Mandarin and 

 Carolina ; but it is needless to give detailed descriptions 

 here. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



GEESE AND SWANS. 



IN a small way, a pen or two of geese are most profitable to 

 the farmer or cottager who has access to waste land, 

 common, or roadside, with water-range of some kind. In 



