144 Domestic ANIMALS. 
The Musk or Brazilian duck is from the tropical regions of 
South America. It is a singular bird in appearance and in 
habits, but we see little to recommend it, either for use or orna- 
ment. 
The Wood duck, the most beautiful of its genus, so common 
in all parts of the North American continent, is also easily 
domesticated. It also will breed in its domesticated state. 
Ducks are easily kept where there is access to a pond, pool, 
stream, or swamp. They will eat almost anything, animal or 
vegetable. The refuse of the kitchen garden is always accept- 
able to them, and where grass is not attainable, something of 
this kind must be regularly supplied. 
“The duck-house,” Bement says, ‘ should, if possible, be of 
brick, and paved with the same material, with considerable in 
clination, so that the wet, when the floor is sluiced down, may 
a once pass off. Wood is seldom secure against rats, and does 
not so well suit the cleaning process of water and the lime- 
brush, and few places require their application more frequently. 
Do not crowd your birds, and always arrange for good venti- 
lation. When the flock is large, separate the young ones, that 
they may thus have the advantage of better food, and that no 
risk may be incurred of finding the eggs of the older ches trod- 
den under foot and broken at your morning visit. On this ac- 
count the laying ducks should always have plenty of room, and 
be kept by themselves. Ducks, for these reasons, as well as 
for the sake of cleanliness, should never share the habitation of 
fowls, and from geese they are liable to persecution. Yet, 
where fowls are kept, a little contrivance will suffice to make 
their berth, even in a fowl-house, tolerably comfortable. In 
winter, a thin bedding of straw or rushes should be placed on 
the floor, and frequently changed.” 
The duck is a prolific layer, and her eggs are very rich and 
highly flavored, and are much relished by some persons. One 
duck’s egg is considered of equal culinary value to two fowl’s 
eggs. 
According to Mr. Parmentier, one drake is sufficient for 
