142 • MRS. BASLEY'S WESTERN POULTRY BOOK 



duck on the market. In shape and carriage the Pekin has a dis- 

 tinct type of its own, which by some is described as resembling an 

 Indian canoe, from the keel-like shape and the turned-up tail. 

 Though Pekin ducks may not merit all that is claimed for them by 

 enthusiastic breeders, it is certain that the duck business could 

 not have attained its present proportion without the Pekin duck, 

 and that as a market duck this breed takes the lead. They are 

 hardy, quick growers, thrive in close confinement, and are ready 

 to market at ten weeks of age. The plumage is soft, more downy 

 than that of other varieties and is of a creamy white in color. The 

 beak is of a deep orange yellow, and, according to Standard, should 

 be free from black marks. The shanks and toes are reddish orange 

 color. 



All ducks are of a timid disposition, and the Pekin more so than 

 those of other breeds; in fact, they will injure themselves so badly 

 if frightened by cat, dog or a stranger, or by being caught up, that 

 they may have to be killed. A fright, if not fatal, will take off 

 several days' growth of the young, and stop the laying of the adult 

 clucks. 



The Indian Runner 



Many years ago Indian Runners were brought from India to 

 England by a sea captain, hence the name "Indian," while the "Run- 

 ners" came from their great agility. They do not waddle like other 

 ducks, but run more like a plover, and are very quick in their move- 

 ments. In England their good qualities quickly captivated the 

 thrifty farmers. Individual ducks there have made a record of 225 

 eggs per annum. Here in California I had ten ducks which laid 

 2331 eggs in one year. I think the climate of California more nearly 

 resembles that of their native land, and their laying is never 

 checked by cold or snow, so that here they lay better than in Eng- 

 land or the Eastern States. In India they were bred for their lay- 

 ing and table qualities, no attention being paid to the color of their 

 plumage ; all the Indians cared for was the eggs, and they laid 

 eggs galore. English breeders claim that eight-year-old ducks of 

 this breed will lay as well as yearlings, and on this account, and 

 their capacity for foraging, they have become very popular in Eng- 

 land and Australia. 



While the weight of the matured Pekin is greater than that of 

 the Indian Runner, there is more meat in proportion to their weight 

 in the Runners on account of the smallness of the bones ; the meat 

 is also of a much finer quality, finely grained and juicy and re- 

 sembling in flavor the much extolled canvas-back duck. The eggs 

 of the Indian Runner are an ivory white in color, greatly resembling 

 Minorca eggs, very delicate in taste, and in England their eggs are 

 in great demand in the tuberculosis sanitariums on account of their 

 delicate flavor, richness and nutritive value, and absolute freedom 

 from tuberculosis taint, and there is a higher price paid for them 

 than the hen's eggs. 



The standard color of the Indian Runners in this country is fawn 



