142 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



fleshy arc round the eye, the face being of the same substance, 

 and bare. The drake is furnished much more profusely 

 than the duck, and the sex is much more easily distinguished 

 than in any other breed, notwithstanding the entire absence 

 of the usual curl in the tail, as the male bird is generally 

 three or four pounds heavier than the female. These birds 

 are by no means pleasing in appearance, and are not to be 

 recommended for the reasons already given, though they 

 make an exceedingly valuable, but infertile, cross with any 

 of the large breeds, the muscovy drakes being used. 



In addition to the five chief varieties of ducks which we 

 have mentioned there are several others, but these are 

 chiefly fancy ones, and consequently scarcely fall within our 

 province. We may, however, be permitted to say, that for 

 such as have a piece of ornamental water, there is nothing 

 prettier, or will add to its beauty more, than a few of the 

 rich-coloured Mandarins or Carolinos. The small black East 

 Indian breed is also very good for this purpose, but it is 

 difficult to get hardy or strong birds, for in-breeding has been 

 so much resorted to, in order to obtain diminutive size, that 

 the breed has really been ruined. Where the place is clean 

 and free from smoke and dirt, the White Call, or decoy ducks, 

 are very nice, and this variety has one decided advantage, 

 namely, that it is tame and domesticated, not given to fly or 

 wander away, like some of the other birds. In addition to 

 these there are many other varieties, such as Spotted Bills, 

 Whistlers, Pintails, and Kasarkas, so that those who desire 

 ornamental waterfowl, need have no difficulty whatever. 

 In the keeping of ducks, it is necessary to have a clear 

 idea as to the object for which they are to be kept. As we 

 have previously pointed out, a reasonable amount of space 

 and sufficient water for the bre.eding birds must be provided, 

 and it is of no use attempting to keep and breed from ducks 

 cooped up in a very small run. In that case it is better to 



