WATERFOWL 



247 



purposes, yet for the farm have some points of superi- 

 ority to those mentioned. 



Pekins are most popular because of their early 

 maturity, large size and prolific egg yield. They are 

 kept almost exclusively by the large duck raisers who 

 grow thousands annually. Figures 99 and 100 show 

 a typical duck ranch and individual bird. Standard 

 weights are, adult drake, eight pounds; duck and 

 young drake, seven pounds ; young duck, six pounds. 



FIG. lOI AN OBJECT LESSON IN DUCK KEEPING 



The Indian Runner is a breed rapidly coming into 

 popularity. It is aptly termed the Leghorn of the 

 duck family, for it is a wonderful layer. Figure loi 

 gives a good illustration of the capacity of this breed. 

 A good drake is shown in Figure 102. They are 

 much smaller than Pekins, standard weights being, 

 drake, four and one-half pounds; duck, four pounds. 

 They are quite beautiful to look upon, the plumage 

 being light fawn or gra'y and white. 



