DOMESTIC POXTLTBT. 



▼alne in the nnusual diaracteristics which distinguish theni ; 

 tihas, the bow-bill duck, as shown in the engraving, called by 

 some writers the hook-bill, is remarkable for the peculiarly 

 strange distortion of its beak, and the tuft on the top of its 

 head. The penguin duck, again, waddles in an upright posi- 

 tion, like the pexiguin, on account of the unnatural situation 

 of its legs. These odd peculiarities add nothing of value to the 

 various breeds, and would seem to be the result of accidental 

 malformation, transmitted from generation to generation. 



The Eouen, or Rhone duck, is a, large and somewhat hand- 

 some variety, of ^French extraction. The plumage of the Bouen 



duck is somewhat sombre ; 

 its flesh is also much darker, 

 and, though of higher fla- 

 vour, not near so dehoate as 

 that of our own Aylesbury. 

 It is with this latter breed 

 that the Rouen duck is ge- 

 nerally mated ; and the re- 

 sult is said to be iucrease of 

 size and strength. In Nor- 

 mandy and Brittany, these 

 ducks, as well as other sorts, 

 greatly abound ; and the " duck -liver pdtes " are there almost 

 as popular as the pdte defoiegras of Strasburg. 



The Buenos Ayres duck is of East Indian birth, and is 

 chiefly valuable as an ornament ; 

 for we suppose one would as soon 

 think of picking a Chinese teal 

 for luncheon, or a gold fish for 

 breakfast, as to consign the 

 handsome Buenos Ayres to the 

 Bpit. The prevailing colour of 

 this bird is black, with a me- 

 tallic lustre, and a gleaming of 

 blue steel about its breast and 

 wings. 



A valuable species of the duck family is the Eider-duck, 

 which is found in the most dreary and desolate regions of the 

 Morth. Iceland is a favourite resort of these birds during the 

 breeding season ; and here, owing to the little inteiTuption on 

 the part of the inhabitants, they are remarkably tame. " On 

 approaching them," it is said, « the drakes, indeed, often take 



EOtlBN rnoKS. 



BUENOS ATRES DUOKS. 



