234 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
The beautiful green heads and necks of the drakes, iri- 
descent with purple and copper hues, set off with a clean 
white collar and claret-colored vest, give them a distin- 
guished air which the various colors and distinct mark- 
ings of the back and wings does not detract from. The 
females are brown, each feather being marked with 
black, which gives them a speckled look. 
. The only variety which really rivals the Rouen as a 
aseful and economical birds is the Aylesbury. ‘These, a 
vurely white English variety, are beautiful birds and 
ighly esteemed in the markets of Great Britain, as also 
.n the United States, where they are known. They are 
good layers and nurses, not noisy; good feeders, and by 
some decidedly preferred to the Rouen. The eggs are 
white, sometimes inclining to blue, while those of the 
Rouen duck are blue, with thick, strong shells ; of the 
two the Rouen has the reputation of being most hardy. 
Where ducks are raised for breeders, it is a practice 
(founded perhaps on prejudice):to set ducks upon their 
own eggs; but if the young are wanted for market 
simply, the eggs are put under hens. Hens will hatch 
a clutch of duck’s some two days quicker than ducks 
will, but it is thought that the young have not so good 
constitutions Young ducks raised for market often 
get injured by being allowed to go freely to the water. 
They grow faster and stronger if they only have enough 
to drink, at least for several weeks, 
