52 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE GEORGIA. 



not allowed to sit will lay a large number of eggs. In color they 

 should be exactly like the wild Mallard from which they seem to 

 have originated. The Rouen is more hardy than the Aylesbury or 

 the Pekin, but not so large as either, though equal to them in table 

 qualities. 



THE BLACK OAYUGA 



Has black plumage, approaching brown, with a white collar. It is 

 not quite so large as the Aylesbury or Rouen, but of superior flavor, 

 and with greater aptitude to fatten than either of the above men- 

 tioned breeds. It originated on Oayuga lake, in New York. It is 

 hardy and a good layer weight six to eight pounds. 



THE MUSCOVY, 



Or Musk Duck, so called from the decided odor of musk emitted by 

 the drake, is a very common and hardy breed, which has not been 

 bred to any uniform color, being either white or black, or a ming- 

 ling of these in every conceivable manner. There is more than the 

 ordinary difference between the size of the drake and the duck. 

 Their table qualities are inferior to those of the breeds already men- 

 tioned, though when well fattened they are of fair quality. The 

 drake is exceedingly quarrelsome, and hence is a disagreeable com- 

 panion in the poultry yard. 



This seems to be quite a distinct breed, as its cross upon others is 

 generally unfertile. The duck lays a large egg, but a much smaller 

 number than either the Aylesbury, Rouen or the Black Cayuga. 



THE COMMON DUCK 



Seems to be a degenerate descendant of the Rouen as its plumage 

 resembles that of the latter very closely. They are prolific and 

 hardy but small, and are rather disagreeable additions to the poul- 

 try yard on account of the perpetual "quack," "quack" of the female- 

 They are good layers, and when well fattened possess excellent table 

 qualities. 



All varieties of ducks are careless as to the deposit of their eggs, 

 dropping them indiscriminately on their run or in the water, and 

 hence it is well to keep them in the house until nine o'clock each 

 morning during the laying season. They invariably lay early in 

 the morning, and hence by this means all of their eggs will 

 ally be secured, 



