446 



POULTRY CULTURE 



Pekin with white skin and pale bill. The experience of American breeders with 

 Aylesbury crosses cannot be taken as conclusively showing racial differences, 

 for similar results might have followed the importation of Pekins of European 

 stock. It is generally admitted that the Pekin Duck has reached its highest 

 development in this country.^ Of other races of this class the Rouen ranks 

 first, and is considered by many actually much superior in meat quality to the 

 Pekin, especially when full grown. At that stage it is said to dress more easily 

 than the white duck. The black (Cayuga) and blue (Swedish) ducks have their 

 admirers, but make little progress in popular favor. The breeding of races of 

 this class other than the Pekin is largely in the hands of fanciers. The shape 



of all these ducks (except the Muscovy) 

 is much the same (the body long, broad, 

 and deep, the breast full and promi- 

 nent, the keel well developed), espe- 

 cially in old birds. 



In the Muscovy there is greater 

 breadth, with less depth of body and 

 little keel. The chief shape difference 

 in ducks of this general type is the 

 carriage of the body, and this differ- 

 ence, it should be observed, is artificial, 

 the typical carriage being designated 

 largely for the purpose of maintaining 

 a semblance of breed difference in 

 varieties which in practical breeding 

 tend to become alike. The carriage 

 of body in American Standard exhi- 

 bition ducks of this type is Rouen, 

 Aylesbury, Cayuga, Muscovy, and Blue 

 Swedish, nearly horizontal ; Pekin, a 

 little elevated in front. The elevated 

 carriage of the Pekin is more charac- 

 teristic of the male than of the female, 

 and tends to disappear with increase of weight. The typical carriage as shown in 

 model illustrations is usually the extreme pose of the bird in an attitude which 

 emphasizes the desired feature. In every point of shape (including size), varia- 

 tions in individuals and stocks are constantly found to be much greater than the 

 differences between representatives of the breed type. As layers the Pekins are 

 rated much superior to other large races, the Muscovy at the foot of the list. 



Fig. 474. Indian Runner drake (old). 



White Birch Poultry Farm, Bridgewater, 



Massachusetts 



' In 1907 Mr. S. Sato, of Tokyo, Japan, visited this country to investigate 

 methods of poultry culture and to buy poultry ■ — among other kinds, Pekin Ducks. 

 I learned from him at that time that the white ducks of China were so much inferior 

 to the American Pekins that they were not considered desirable to improve the 

 stock in Japan. According to Mr. Sato, not only this race of ducks but all Chinese 

 fowls came to Japan by way of America. 



