told it stated she, herself, "sent eggs and the breed all over the 

 world, some very early to Belgium and Holland, France and Ger- 

 many." She also affirmed: "There are no Runners in India, 

 only what went from England to a Maharajah, sent by Mr. J. H. 

 Wilson, a great poultry enthusiast, who was also a breeder and 

 exhibitor and judge, and was instrumental in getting the Indian- 

 Runner Qub formed." 



Mr. Wilson was an early Sec'y of the Club in England. We 

 may call him as witness that at least one inference which has been 

 drawn from this story is not valid. Fortunately, a letter from 

 him is in existence in America, dating back some years, in which 

 Mr. Wilson stated that to his own knowledge, his strain had not 

 then been crossed for fifty years. It can be only the name that is 

 but thirty years old, in any event The lady who named them 

 about thirty years ago ( ?) was utterly behind the times. 



It comes back to the conclusion which I have more than once, 

 suggested: viz., that the question is, in essence, simply one of 

 whom we elect to believe, when those who "know" tell stories of 

 such opposite tenor. 



One wonders greatly about the Holland, Belgian and German 

 claimants to the name "Indian Runner" Mr. L. Van der Snickt, 

 stated that "the same duck" has been "selected for centuries" in 

 Holland, Belgium and France. Strangely enough, (if these 

 statements were true) the Belgian Runner Club has asked permis- 

 sion to use the Standard of the British Indian Runner Duck Club. 

 To most people, this fact would seem evidence enough that the 

 Belgians' ducks were, at the best, not more than near-Runners. 



Every week throughout the year come inquiries as to the 

 various types of Indian Runner, or recitals of experience with the 

 breed in one type or the other. As to the birds themselves, I have 

 had little difficulty in replying to questions. As to origin, history, 

 etc., the people who had the facts have varied in their willingness, 

 to let the public have them — at least through this medium ; and it 



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