Ducks. 
385 
ever since, and also extensively used for crossing ; but to Mr. J. Donald all credit is due for keeping his 
Runners free from any out-cross and pure. The second part of the name is derived from their peculiar gait 
which is different from the waddle of other varieties of Ducks. The Indian Runner having a very erect 
carriage a-la Penguin, and travelling fast, in fact, running is the only word I know that will describe their 
mode of locomotion. The bird seems to be extinct in India; efforts have repeatedly been made by British 
Fanciers to obtain fresh birds, but unsuccessfully. Their chief points are great foragers, travelling all ovci 
the paddocks in search of food, early maturity (our young Ducks laying at a few days over four months old), 
hardiness, non-sitters, and layers of an immense egg for the size of the Duck ; they are rather small, 4 to 5 
lbs. being the average adult weight when alive. In fact, they occupy the same position amongst Ducks as 
the Minorca does amongst Fowls, " the best of layers." The Runners are not classed amongst the table 
varieties as they are small and do not put on flesh as readily as Pekins, Aylesburys or Rouens ; but for those 
who prefer a wild black Duck on the table, would find an exceUent substitute in the Runners, we finding 
them all that could be desired. They came to us with a tip-top record as layers and have fully maintained 
their reputation, and we discovering that they were such edible birds is still another point in their favour. 
Mr. J. Donald, of England, has breeding pens mated up, in which are stock Ducks up to eight years of age, 
and finds those profitable to keep. In colour, the Drake is mostly white, but unevenly marked with dove- 
coloured splashes, each fsather being slightly pencilled with drab, a little black round the head, neck very 
long and thin, beak greenish yellow. The eyes are placed very near the top of the head and the beak is free 
from the dished shape of the ordinary Duck, being a continuous line from point of bill to top of skull. The 
Duck is more heavily marked than the Drake, being pencilled all over the coloured parts with a deeper 
shade of drab on a fawn ground colour ; beak, dark green ; legs in both sexes a dark orange." 
The Mandarin Duck is chiefly prized as a purely ornamental variety, and, without exception, they 
are the handsomest of all the Duck family. In shape they are smart and active. The head of the Drake 
is surmounted by a large long crest pointing backwards, which can be erected at will ; the colour of the crest 
being a gorgeous purplish-green on top, merging into a mixture of green and chestnut towards the ends of 
the feathers. A broad strip of rich cream or canary colour extends from the base of the bill right to the back 
of the neck. The back of the neck is covered with rich brownish red, the front of the neck and sides of the 
breast being a rich purplish colour. Across the shoulders are two clear and very distinct stripes of pure 
white, each stripe shaded with black ; the sides being of a greenish or pale yellowish grey evenly and 
minutely pencilled with dark grey, approaching black. The wings are furnished with a peculiar appendage 
similar to a fan, which stands almost erect. These are of a beautiful bright chestnut colour, edged with blue 
or green. The feathers of the back are a bright light brown, tha under-parts of body being nearly white ; 
the secondary feathers of the wings are brownish grey, the lower edges being white ; the bill is bright 
crimson, the legs pale pink, and the eyes are bright black. The Duck is of a more sombre hue throughout, 
being mottled all over with greenish brown on body, the under-parts being of a greyish white. During three 
or four months of the year the Drake moults out his gorgeous plumage, assuming the garb of the Duck for 
this period. 
The Carolina Duck is closely allied to the former variety, differing in not possessing the wing fans of 
the Mandarin. This Duck is a native of North America. The Drake has a red bill, with a margin of black 
nearly reaching the tip, with a spot of black between the nostrils ; the tip of the bill having a quick down- 
ward curve at the extremity of the upper mandible. The eyes are orange red ; the crown, front of head, and 
crest are a rich glossy bronze green, changing into a violet colour at the ends ; a line of pure white runs 
from the base of the bill similar to the Mandarin Duck, and mingling with the long plumes of the crest 
present a most attractive appearance. The throat and front of neck are pure white, and appear in the form 
of a crescent extending upwards towards the eyes. The cheeks and sides of the neck are of a claret colour, 
the breast dark chesnut tinged with rich claret colour, marked with white spots which gradually increase in 
size until they merge into the white of the under-parts. On each side of tlie breast, alongside the shoulders 
B I 
