CHAP. II. 



DUCKS. 



607 



Fig. 162. Aylesbury Ducks, 



Ducks. Of ducks there is a considerable variety to choose from, but 

 as a rule farmers look to one or two breeds for their supply. The first 

 favourite is the Aylesbury (fig. 162), a long bodied, boat-shaped, white 

 duck, which grows very rapidly, so that when the early markets are in 

 view there is no other breed 

 that can compete with it. 

 Ducklings of this breed can 

 be reared to four and even 

 fouranda half pounds weight 

 at seven to eight weeks old, 

 and if ready for the spring 

 trade will often bring a shil- 

 ling per pound, and at times 

 even more. To do this they 

 must be fed well and regu- 

 larly, but it pays. 



Another white plumaged 

 duck is the Pekin, which 

 has enjoyed a considerable 

 measure of support. It is 

 more upright in carriage 

 than the Aylesbury, and 

 carries itself like a pen- 

 guin. The bill and legs 

 are orange or yellow, whilst 



those of the Aylesbury are much paler, so that one breed can 

 easily be distinguished from the other. It is the best layer of all the 

 larger varieties of ducks, but has not the size of body of either the 

 Aylesbury or the Rouen, 

 and for that reason is not 

 so good. Another very 

 popular breed is the Indian 

 Runner, but it is small in 

 body, and is generally kept 

 for its great prolificacy. 



The Rouen is another 

 valuable member of this 

 tribe, and grows much larger 

 than any other. But it does 

 not mature rapidly, and 

 consequently is not used 

 for spring ducklings. Where 

 fully grown ducks are in 

 demand it is the best of all 

 varieties, as it attains a large size, and the flesh is of excellent flavour 

 and quality. The Eouen is marked like the mallard, or wild duck. 



Fig. 163. Cayuga Ducks. 



The Cayuga (fig. 163) is a duck which is valuable for size and 



