Black Cayuga Ducks. 543 



appear well worthy of a few remarks in these pages. Lake Cayuga, in the United States of 

 America, is given as their habitat, and they are said to abound there in great numbers. 



" In colour they are nearly similar to the East Indians ; their plumage being of a bright 

 metallic black, with lustrous green reflections on head, neck, and wings. The bill is a blue-black, 

 and has a very black splash in the middle of it. Legs a smoky orange or brown. 



" Their shape is different from the East Indians, and more like the Aylesburys ; they have 

 very lengthy necks, and a straight, long head and beak. Their size is quite equal to the Rouen 

 or Aylesbury, and they can with little trouble be made to weigh upwards of twenty pounds 

 the pair. The flesh has a rich game flavour, and when hung a short time in the winter they far 

 surpass the Wild Duck. 



" For the farmer they will be a very u'^eful as well as ornamental breed, being hardy, and 

 maturing at an early age. They are prolific layers, and of very quiet habits. It should be stated 

 that, like other breeds of black fowls — Crevecoeurs, Spanish, and East Indian Ducks — the Cayugas 

 show sometimes white feathers on the breast and elsewhere, which, however, does not point to any 

 impurity of blood ; and though suggestions have been made that they are merely a cross-breed, I 

 see no sound reason to doubt that they are a distinct variety ; for I am told by a well-known 

 fancier, who imported some two years ago, that though two of his old birds since moulting now 

 display traces of white feathers round the eyes, beneath the bill, and a few on the breast ; still the 

 birds hatched last season and those reared from them this year show not a single fault, but bid 

 fair to outrival their parents in beauty and size." 



It will be seen that Mr. Fowler places the Cayugas very high among the useful breeds of 

 ducks, and we believe he will be found to be correct in this. The flesh is certainly equal to that 

 of any, and we consider superior to all, except the Black East Indian ; while the breed seems to 

 fatten and make its growth — weight for weight — on less food than either the Rouen or Aylesbury. 

 The plumage also can never look dirty, which will be an advantage in many localities. 



Mr. R. Teebay, of Fulwood, Preston, informs us that there was formerly a large black duck in 

 Lancashire which bred true ; and, so far as he can remember, they closely resembled the Cayuga, 

 if they were not identical with it. The question is difficult to settle now, but it would be curious 

 if it should be so, as in that case there could hardly be any doubt that each originated from an 

 independent black " sport," or off'shoot, of either the Mallard or Common Domestic Duck. That the 

 breed was ever found wild round Lake Cayuga, as was at one time supposed, we think there is no 

 good evidence to show. On this subject Mr. Teebay writes us as follows : — 



" I do not believe we now have here [in Lancashire] any true-bred black ducks ; but in 

 Preston market twenty years ago they were very common, as were two other quite distinct breeds 

 that have disappeared. The black ducks were very large, and bred true to colour. There \vere 

 also blue ducks, nearly the colour all over of an Andalusian hen, and the drake the same, except 

 being rather darker on his shoulder-coverts and head ; these also bred true to colour, and were 

 very slender and tight-feathered in their general appearance. The third variety were called 

 'duns ;' they were of a yellowish dun-colour throughout the whole plumage, the drake being rather 

 darker on his back than on the rest of his body. These last were the largest ; but were more 

 sluggish, and required more attention than the others, but did not need so much water. I also 

 remember a breed particoloured, with immense top-knots. For several years now, however, 

 nearly all the young ducks that are brought to Preston market are Aylesburys, or crosses from 

 them, as they are bought chiefly for the Liverpool poulterers, who will give more for them than 

 for the others. 



" I recollect asking a gentleman who has spent many years in America, trapping and shooting, 



