RANKIN'S DUCK BOOK 



shore or in a dry, rarified atmosphere at an altitude in the 

 country. ; 



Figure 5 represents, the egg at the end of the fifth day, 

 the circle enlarged, shaded darker in color ; the whole egg be- 

 ing slightly darker in hue. 



Figure 6, at the end of the sixth day, shows still more 

 plainly the germ undergoing a gradual change in the egg, en- 

 larging and assuming a darker hue. The outline of the circle 

 is now gradually acquiring the form of an ellipse, and in a 

 live embryo the line of demarkation should be distinct. If it 

 is at all wavy and irregular in its outline, and instead, remain- 

 ing intact, the contents of this ellipse show a disposition to as- 

 similate with the surrounding liquids when the egg is revolved, 

 it can be safely removed as a dead duck. 



Figure 7 represents a dead embryo, as it will appear from 

 the seventh to the twelfth day. The germ being separated 



Figure 7. — A Dead Embryo. 



and appearing in dark irregular blotches over the entire sur- 

 face of the egg ; the egg having become nearly opaque over its 

 entire surface. At this stage the egg, if it has not already be- 

 come so, will soon be very offensive. These should be re- 

 moved at once and handled carefully the while, as they are 

 apt to explode and unpleasant consequences ensue. The oper- 

 ator should run no risks, as discoloration on the outside shell 

 of a duck tgg is a sure sign of decay, and they can safely be 

 taken from the machine. There are always a certain number 

 of duck eggs (especially during the month of August and the 

 latter part of July) that have the appearance of fertility dur- 

 ing the first three or four days of the hatch, but do not possess 

 vitality enough to carry them through. These die at all stages 



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