64 CAIRINA MOSCHATA 



picturesque tales can hardly be dismissed until more intimate observations have been 

 made. The young swim well and even dive with ease. The mother has a peculiar 

 danger-call upon hearing which the young scatter in all directions (F. P. and A. P. 

 Penard, 1908-10). 



There is something about half-grown Muscovy Ducks that reminds one strongly 

 of young Carolina Ducks, not so much in the color as in the general shape and posture 

 while walking. 



Status of Species. In Dutch Guiana the species has rapidly decreased in num- 

 bers in recent years (F. P. and A. P. Penard, 1908-10). W. Robinson (1895) reports 

 enormous flocks on the Magdalena River, Colombia. There is apparently no danger 

 of extermination or serious reduction in the numbers of this species as long as large 

 areas remain covered with jungle. Cherrie thought that in Venezuela, in spite of 

 active persecution, not many were brought to bag, and Mr. Crandall tells me that in 

 British Guiana they are probably holding their own. 



Food Value. In spite of the disagreeable associations of its name this bird has 

 no odor of musk about it and the young birds are fairly good eating. The old birds 

 are tough and have a strong odor. Heinroth (1911) tells us that they cease to be 

 palatable after they have acquired their red wattles. 



Hunt. The birds are taken as they flight to and from their feeding grounds and 

 sometimes over decoy ducks as mentioned under "General Habits." They are also 

 watched for at favorite roosting trees. 



Behavior in Captivity. The Muscovy was brought to Europe in the middle of 

 the sixteenth century and has been kept in various parts of the world ever since. 

 It is still very popular in Africa and the Pacific Islands, but seems to have lost favor 

 as a general-utility bird in England and America where of course it cannot compete 

 with the common domestic duck. I have never seen it in either Europe or North 

 America in large numbers, but it is usual to see a pair or two kept, more as an orna- 

 ment and curiosity than for any economic reason. As generally seen they are 

 greatly mottled with white, and often they lose all traces of their former dark colora- 

 tion. The tame birds breed when one year old, although it is a question whether 

 they do so in the wild state (Heinroth, 1913). These domestic birds fly freely, but 

 naturally grow less active as they become older and heavier. As to longevity in 

 confinement, it may be said that they reach a considerable age, like most large 

 swimming birds, but exact information is wanting. Flower (1910) notes one that 

 lived over eleven years in the Giza Gardens and it would not surprise me to learn 

 that they reach at times a much greater age. 



