DUCKS, GEESE AND GUINEAS 115 



the eggs are large and of good flavor. Some 

 strains lay white and other strains greenish-tinged 

 eggs. Of course the pure white eggs are to be pre- 

 ferred, so that when buying stock, one should be 

 careful to learn the color of the eggs produced. 

 Day-old ducklings may be purchased for about 25 

 cents each and are easily reared with a hen. 



There are three varieties of Indian Runners — 

 penciled, fawn and white and pure white. The 

 penciled Runners represent the English type, but 

 the American standard recognizes, as yet, only the 

 fawn and white variety. Some breeders insist that 

 the penciled birds are more certain to lay white eggs 

 than the American type, and are more prolific, but 

 the latter are more commonly seen. Doubtless all 

 three varieties will be standardized eventually. 

 The whites are rather scarce at present and bring 

 higher prices than the other kinds. 



Given proper care, Indian Runner ducks are easy 

 to raise and require no water to swim in, although 

 they demand a surprisingly large amount to drink 

 and dabble in. It is necessary that they have water 

 always before them and in a receptacle deep enough 

 so that they can dip their beaks into the water to 

 the nostril openings, for these openings often be- 



