140 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



becoming very popular indeed; but tbey bave not main- 

 tained tbeir position, for tbey are larger in frame than in 

 flesb, and bave an abundant plumage, which gives them the 

 appearance of greater bulk than they actually possess. They 

 do not mature so rapidly as the Aylesbury, and tbeir flesh is 

 not of the same rich and delicate flavour as is that of the 

 Aylesbury, Eouen, or Cayuga. On the other hand, they are 

 heavy layers of large well-flavoured eggs ; the eggs are, as a 

 rule, very fertile indeed, and the ducklings easy to rear, for 

 which reasons they have been largely crossed with the Ayles- 

 bury, in order to counteract the evils of in-breeding in some 

 strains of the latter variety. Many of the winning show 

 Aylesburys are so crossed, the canary tinge in the plumage, 

 yellowish bills, and the peculiar carriage being the best 

 signs of this cross. The Pekin differs from all other ducks 

 in the shape and carriage of its body, which is of a peculiar 

 boat shape. The legs are set well back, and the bird walks 

 rather upright or penguin fashion. The head is large, and 

 the neck long ; the legs and bill are of a rich yellow, and 

 the plumage generally has a peculiar cream colour running 

 through it, sometimes scarcely noticeable, but often so 

 decided that it is really a canary colour. It is very graceful 

 on the water, and for crossing with the Aylesbury is a very 

 valuable variety. The progeny are easily fattened, and have 

 good flesh, two most important matters to those who wish 

 to obtain a rapid return. 



The Cayuga. — This is a variety which deserves to be 

 much more kept than it now is, for it is a most useful fowl, 

 of capital size, and extraordinarily good as a layer. Cayugas 

 are very hardy, mature rapidly, fatten well, and their flesh 

 is of high flavour — said to be even better than tbat of the 

 wild duck. The drakes weigh about nine pounds, and the 

 ducks about a pound less, when matured ; and they have a 

 very good characteristic, namely, tbat they do not wander 



