606 POULTRY BREEDING 
sports from Bronze Turkeys are by no means rate and 
these white sports breed true to color. The White Hol- 
land was at one time smaller yet than the Buffs, but of 
late years the standard weight has been 26 pounds for 
adult cocks and 16 pounds for hens, weights that do not 
do justice to this variety, as they very frequently out- 
weigh the other small varieties, and not rarely will com- 
pare favorably with the Bronze in weight. 
Bourbon Reds.—This variety is said to have originated 
in Kentucky from crossing the Bronze and the Buff va- 
rieties. It is of large size, with a deep reddish color, the 
primaries being white. It is still quite rare, but very fine 
specimens are sometimes seen at the larger shows. 
Ducks.—The American Poultry Association recognizes 
10 breeds of ducks, only two having more than one va- 
riety. The following are the breeds and varieties: Pe- 
kin, Aylesbury, Rouen, Cayuga, Call, two varieties; Gray 
and \Vhite, East India, Crested, \luscovy, two varieties— 
\Vhite and Colored—Indian Runner and Swedish. It is 
generally conceded that all our breeds of domestic ducks, 
except the Muscovy, are of Asiatic origin, although this 
is merely speculation on probabilities. Ducks have been 
known as domestic fowls since before the beginning of 
the Christian era. Columella says that the eggs af wild 
ducks hatched under common hens produce ducklings 
which soon became tame, and this is as true now as it 
was 2,000 years ago. The wild Mallard Duck is common 
from eastern Asia to the western shores of America. and 
it is quite probable that it was first domesticated in 
Asia before history began. The duck has always been 
esteemed for food, and its attractiveness as a bird would 
have brought it under the rule of man as early as any 
other wild bird or animal. The larger breeds are very 
