DUCKS AND GEESE 



in perfection of color and marking than is the case 

 with the white breeds. Moreover, the dark pin 

 feathers make the ducks more difficult to dress 

 than in white breeds. In type these birds are very 

 level in body and are massive, carrying a great deal 

 of meat. Avoid birds showing a lack of length of 

 body or depth of keel or which are too flat in breast. 

 The back of the Rouen should have a slightly convex 

 or arched shape from neck to tail and it is necessary 

 to guard against birds which have a flat or a con- 

 cave back. The body of the Rouen should be carried 

 practically horizontal. The upper line of the bill 

 should be slightly dished or concave. The white 

 ring about the neck of the drake is an important 

 part of the marking. This should not be too wide 

 but should run about a quarter of an inch in width. 

 It should be as distinct and clean cut as possible but 

 should not quite come together in the rear. Any ap- 

 proach to a ring in the female is a disqualification. 

 White in the primary or secondary wing feathers is 

 a serious defect since it constitutes a disqualifica- 

 tion. It must therefore be carefully avoided. 

 White feathers in the fluif of the drake is another 

 color defect which must be guarded against. 



Breast of Drake. The farther the claret color on 

 the breast of the drake extends down the better will 

 be the females secured from the mating. Drakes 

 which are deficient in the amount of claret on the 

 breast should therefore be thrown out as breeders. A 

 purple rump in drakes must be avoided as must black 



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