AQUATIC FOWLS. 



Call duck has a yellow orange-colored bill ; that 

 of the Aylesbury should be flesh-colored. 



Mr. John Giles, of Woodstock, Connecticut, 

 who has probably had as much, if not more, ex- 

 perience in the breeding and management of 

 fowls of all descriptions than any other fowl- 

 fancier in this country, says of the Aylesbury 

 duck : " The breed I brought out with me from 

 England are white, with white bills ; their flesh 

 is of a beautiful white, weighing from eight to 

 ten pounds per pair when full grown. They 

 are considered a rarity in London, command- 

 ing one-third more price than any other ducks 

 brought to market." 



" The white Aylesbury ducks are a beautiful 

 and ornamental stock," says Mowbray, "match- 

 ing in color with the Embden (Bremen) geese. 

 They are said to be early layers and breeders. 

 Vast quantities are fattened for the London 

 markets, where they are in great demand. 

 Many families derive a comfortable living from 

 breeding and rearing ducks, the greater part of 

 which, the early ones at all events, are actually 

 reared by hand. The interior of the cottages 

 <>f those who follow this occupation presents a 

 very curious appearance to the stranger, being 

 furnished with boxes for the protection of the 

 tender charge of the goodwife, whose whole 

 time and attention is taken up with this branch 

 of domestic economy." 



Browne says, "The English, or Aylesbary 

 white variety, though handsome and strong, is 

 inferior in flavor, the flesh being too light col- 

 ored and 'chickeny,' as it "is termed. Great 

 numbers of these fowls, however, are fattened 

 in Buckinghamshire, England, for the London 

 markets, where, in consequence of their size, 

 they command high prices." 



The heaviest specimens of the Rouen duck 

 exceed, in respect of weight, those of the Ayles- 

 bury breed, the latter being a bird of less 

 breadth, though equaling the former in length. 

 Plumage of unspotted white, a pale, flesh-col- 

 ored bill, a dark, prominent eye, with orange 

 legs, are the characteristics of this race, whose 

 name is derived from the town of Aylesbury, in 

 which neighborhood they are kept in large num- 

 bers for the supply of the London markets. The 

 weight of the adult Aylesbury duck should at 



least average, if properly fed, from ten to twelve 

 pounds the pair (duck and drake). Instances, 

 however, have occurred where the drakes have 

 come up to eight pounds and upward, and would, 

 in all probability, if fattened, reach ten pounds 

 each. They are very prolific layers. From t\\ o 

 of these ducks 300 eggs have been obtained in 

 the course of twelve months; in addition to 

 which, one of them sat twice, the other only 

 once, the three nests giving thirty }'oung ones. 

 The eggs vary in color, some being white, while 

 others are of pale blue. As a farther recom- 

 mendation for them, in an economical point of 

 view, it is argued that their consumption of 

 food is less than that of the common duck; and 

 another advantage may be found in their com- 

 parative silence from the continuous "quack, 

 quack, quack," of the latter bird. They also 

 attain greater weight in less time ; and, from 

 their superior appearance when plucked, are a 

 far more marketable article. 



The carriage of the Aylesbury duck is more 

 upright than that of the Rouen ; the eye, of 

 which the iris is dark-gray, being also more 

 prominent; and, as might be anticipated from 

 its greater powers of locomotion, the bird is by 

 no means addicted to such stay-at-home hab- 

 its. 



It has been stated that the eggs of the Ayles- 

 bury ducks are of a pale-blue tint; the usual 

 color, however, is a dull French white, the sur- 

 face being smoother than that of the Rouen, 

 but the shell more brittle. Average weight 

 about three ounces. They are better sitters, 

 and also, from their lighter form, better nurses 

 than the latter. 



It is not necessary here to enter into the ques- 

 tion of the origin of these varieties ; they are 

 now so distinct from any other as to be easily 

 distinguished by any one desirous of obtaining 

 them. 



The Aylesbury duck is a pure white, with 

 flesh-colored bill and orange-colored legs. In 

 birds of about two years old, the bill frequent- 

 ly becomes marked with dark blotches, which 

 is considered a great disfigurement. The duck 

 is a good layer, commencing early in the year, 

 and should be allowed to sit on thirteen 

 eggs. 



