542 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



distinctness of species — but the duck generally averages only about six pounds, and we never knew 

 one over seven and a half pounds. This again is characteristic of the variety. 



The flesh of the Musk Duck is very good when eaten young, but it does not lay nearly so 

 many eggs as the common kinds. They are also awkward birds to keep, the temper of the drake 

 being simply abominable. He persecutes every creature he can, manage, and has been known to 

 attack children ; as to other ducks, he is fond of seizing them by the neck and holding them under 

 the water till they are drowned, if in any way they " rise his dander." We recollect well an old 

 rascal which belonged to a relative, and was kept in a yard with some Dorkings. The first time 

 the drake attacked him the Dorking cock showed fight, but was quickly demolished, and after that 

 the drake made the poor fellow's life a positive burden to him. His favourite mode of offensive 

 warfare was to rush at the poor Dorking like a battering-ram, and knock him clean off his legs, 

 trampling over him as he fell ; and we often wished in a half-hearted way for a good sharp-fighting 

 Game Cock to teach him a lesson or two. For these and other reasons, the Musk Duck can 

 hardly be called a profitable variety. 



Several so-called varieties of ducks, such as the Hooked-bill Duck, distinguished by its curved 

 bill ; the Crested Duck, with a top-knot ; and the Penguin Duck, marked by the downward 

 position of its posterior extremity, need nothing beyond notice. They are noways remarkable 

 either for use or ornament, being simply occasional "sports" perpetuated by the art of man. We 

 shall see in the next chapter that crossing two breeds of geese frequently produces a small crest ; 

 but whether the Crested Duck was originally produced in a similar manner it is impossible to say. 



THE CAYUGA DUCK, or large Black Duck of North America, should properly have been 

 placed before the preceding ; but we mention it last of the large breeds on account of its evident 

 relationship to the variety next mentioned. It has long been prized as a domestic breed in 

 Canada and the United States, but only recently has come into notice in England. It is no doubt 

 descended from the Mallard ; breeding freely and producing fertile progeny, and possessing the 

 curled feathers in the tail, which we have seen the Musk Duck does not. The general colour as 

 now bred is black all over, with as much green lustre as possible, which about the head is very 

 conspicuous ; but the body is more dingy, and in comparison with the Black East Indian looks 

 positively brown. In good birds the brown is sometimes replaced by a dull purple. 



The birds sent to us for portraiture by Mr. W. Simpson, of West Farms, Westchester County, 

 N.Y., consisted of two drakes and three ducks, and were purchased by Mr, J. H. Braikenridge, of 

 Chew Magna, Somerset. One of the drakes appeared injured in some way, as we have often found 

 with imported fowls, especially if the weather has been bad on the voyage. They were all per- 

 fectly black when they arrived ; but next season two of them moulted a great many white feathers, 

 and one in particular became as nearly white as black. Our American correspondents tell us that 

 it is usual to moult some white feathers on the breast and at the base of the bill the second year ; 

 and it will be seen that Black East Indian Ducks offer a striking resemblance in this respect. In 

 specimens long since described in American books on poultry, there seems to have been an 

 indistinct white collar round the drake's neck, which is obviously derived from the Wild Duck, or 

 Mallard, but seems now bred out. Since the reception of our specimens, Mr. J. K. Fowler, of 

 Aylesbuiy, has imported a trio, which were considerably larger than those sent to us ; and this 

 gentleman has kindly furnished the following notes of his experience with them. It will be seen 

 that regarding the appearance of white in the plumage, it is the same as the foregoing: — 



" Cayugas are a breed of ducks that have lately come before the notice of the public, and they 



