LEGHORN OF THE DUCK FAMILY 523 



The Indian Runner duck, which is said to have its origin in 

 India — hence the forepart of its name — has rapidly come into 

 wide popularity by reason of its prolific egg yield, and by reason 

 of which it is aptly termed the Leghorn of the duck family. See 

 Fig. 321. The name Runner is appropriate, for they literally 

 run, instead of waddle, as do other ducks, and sometimes present 

 a very comical appearance. 



Runner ducks are exceedingly active in their habits, and by 

 reason of their willingness to forage are able to find a large part 

 of their food. Though easily domesticated, they do not stand 

 confinement well ; they are non-sitters, are hardy and easy to 

 raise, and while their flesh is of prime quality, their size is rather 

 against them for market purposes, except as broilers. The stan- 

 dard weight of the drake is 4>^ pounds and of the duck 4 pounds. 



The body of the Runner somewhat resembles the shape of the 

 Penguin ; it is long, narrow and carried very erect, with little or 

 no indication of keel. They are very good-looking, the plumage 

 being light fawn or gray and white, which blends admirably 

 with the orange-red of their shanks and the green of their bills. 

 In the past five years White Indian Runners have becorne very 

 popular, and are probably destined to be more extensively bred 

 than the Fawn variety. 



Water is not Necessary. — We naturally associate ducks with 

 water — but as a matter of fact it is not at all necessary that 

 they have access to it, except such as is given them for drinking 

 purposes. If a pond or stream is available, it is well to allow the 

 breeders the freedom of it, also the young ducks until they are 

 about eight weeks old, when they should be penned and fattened 

 for market. On the other hand, equally good results are being 

 obtained by poultrymen who have no water on their premises; 

 the only noticeable difference between these ducks and those 

 having access to water is that the water ducks have somewhat 

 prettier and cleaner plumage. 



Duck raising is to be recommended for those who wish to 

 make use of marshy land not suitable for chickens ; yet this fact 

 must not deceive one in the belief that damp, wet quarters are 



