MUSCOVY DUCK. 
This native of New Zealand is not, to my mind, nearly 
such a handsome bird as either of its relatives, and is 
rather flattered hy its second name. However, it is showy 
enough, and the unusual contrast between the sexes 
will be a recommendation to some people. Miss Hubbard 
and other amateurs have found this bird peculiarly had 
tempered during the breeding season, a pair belonging 
to that lady having deliberately attempted to murder 
a Canadian gander, and nearly succeeded ! A more 
creditable instance of the bond between the pair is 
mentioned by Sir W. Buller in his “Birds of New Zea- 
land,” where he mentions having seen a drake gallantly 
beat off a large Hawk from his wounded mate. 
The same author states that this duck is liable to 
violent and ultimately fatal attacks of cramp if denied 
access to water, although, like others of its kind, it is 
quite at home on land, and walks and runs well. It is 
considerably more expensive than the other species, and 
so it should pay to keep them to breed, which they 
appear to do in our spring, in spite of their Antipodean 
home, but this no doubt applies to European bred birds 
only. Speaking of the breeding of Sheldrakes, a curious 
case occurred in the London Zoo many years ago. An un 
mated female of the rare African Buddy Sheldrake, 
fowl. A native of tropical America, it is found all over 
the world in a tame state, and was tame when the 
Spaniards invaded its native country, though the wild 
stock still exists there. This is blac.c in colour, with a 
rich beetle-green and purple gloss above, and the 
“shoulders” and lining of the wings white. There is a 
red wattle round the eye (extending to the base of the 
beak) in the drake, hut this is wanting in the duck, 
which is very much smaller. Both sexes have the same 
plumage, and possess a crest, which, however, is not 
visible unless erected, as it frequently is when the bird 
is excited. 
Many tame birds hive the coloration above described, 
though usually showing some white feathers about the 
head and neck ; soma are all black and some pied, a 
white variety with a black crest being known as the 
“Peruvian.” Pure white is also found, and a blue-grey 
like that of an Andalusian fowl, though this last is rare. 
The tame duck of this species shows the face-wattle 
like the drake, though it is not so well developed ; 
similarly the tame hen has a good-sized comb, though 
this is almost wanting in the female of the original 
Jungle-fowl. 
In England the Muscovy is treated usually as an 
Mandarins and Bahamas. (Photograph from Life.) 
( Casnrca cana ), which closely resembles the Eastern bird 
above described, paired with a male Common Sheldrake, 
and the hybrids were dark pencilled grey birds, 
much like the New Zealand drake. Now, con- 
sidering that all the Sheldrakes are obviously 
nearly related, it seems possible that this was a case of 
“ throwing back,” and that the present duck, with its 
similar ally the Australian Sheldrake ( Casarca tador- 
noides), a bird very rarely imported, represents the ances- 
tor of the whole Sheldrake genus. 
CHAPTER VI. 
MUSCOVY, MANDARIN, AND CAROLINA DUCKS. 
The three varieties to be dealt with in this section all 
agree in being ducks of surface-feeding habit and of 
strong perching proclivities, also nesting in trees in the 
natural state. In form they are rather noteworthy for 
their rather short bills, crested heads, short legs, and 
long, broad tails, the last being very characteristic. All 
are very well known and always to he had, breeding 
well in coniinement. 
THE MUSCOVY DUCK. 
(Cairina moschata.) 
This bird, like the Chinese goose, occupies a dehat 
able ground between poultry and ornamental water- 
ornamental bird, and, though I am rather peculiar, I 
fear, in my liking for it, I think much may he said in 
its favour. For ornament 1 like the typical colour best, 
as I think one cannot improve on nature ; and the white 
birds, with their blue eyes and sickly-yellow bills and 
feet, are to my mind much more curious than pretty. I 
like a moderate amount only of eye-wattle, and this is 
all the better if broken and varied with black. But 
whatever colour is fancied for ornamental Muscovies, a 
coarse paunchy bird should be avoided, for the deep keel 
so much favoured by breeders of the larger varieties of 
the common duck looks utterly out of place with the 
long low form of this species. 
The great advantage of the Muscovy is that it can he 
allowed full liberty, although it retains the power of 
flight, and is, indeed, still rather fond of perching ; but 
it is sluggish and not apt to stray. It is also a very 
silent bird ; the duck seldom quacks, and then not 
loudly, while the drake only putt's and hisses in a ludi- 
crous manner. Against these good qualities must be set 
the fact that the drake of the species is very quarrel- 
some and unduly amative, his great size and strength 
rendering him a great nuisance on this account. For 
this reason Muscovies should only be kept with the 
larger ducks, geese, etc., and not with weaker species ; 
several duck ; also should be allowed to one drake. 
But it seems to me that the merits of the Muscovy as 
a useful bird are not sufficiently appreciated in England. 
True, although young birds are good, an old drake is 
most tough and objectionable food ; moreover, although 
he attains a great weight, even up to fifteen pounds, his 
parti tr is only about two-thirds his size. But the 
