152 THE MUSCOVY DUCK. 



ned attempts will be made to domesticate 

 our delicious canvass-back duck (Anas va- 

 lisneria}. It has a large carcass, which will 

 doubtless be rendered still larger in a state 

 of domestication.* 



The Muscovy, or, more properly, the Musk 

 Duck, is well worthy the attention of the 

 farmer, although it does not seem so well 

 adapted for the colder climate of the Middle 

 States. The same plan should be adopted 

 as with the common duck, and the ducklings 

 should be disposed of as soon as they are 

 fattened. The old duck has a strong and 

 disagreeable rank and musky flavour, which 

 renders it necessary to remove the oil-bag 

 when preparing it for the spit. This spe- 

 cies habitually breed on trees, and therefore 

 some contrivance resembling a tree must be 

 employed to encourage them to lay. 



* Since writing the above, I learn that the canvass-back has 

 been introduced within a few years into England, and that the 

 experiments already being made to domesticate them promise 

 complete success. 



