13 
sition is inherited by the domestic duck. The temper of the drake is 
spoken of as abominable; his persecution of other poultry is never 
ceasing, and he is credited with having attacked even children when 
his u dander was up.” The flesh of the Muscovy is considered very good 
when eaten young, and compares favorably with that of any other 
duck. They do not lay nearly so many eggs as the common kinds. 
When bred they must be kept in yards by themselves, and their wings 
must be clipped to keep them from flying. 
The head of the Muscovy duck is rather long, and in the drake it is 
large, the top being covered with long crest-like feathers, which rise 
and fall when the bird is alarmed. The bill is of medium length and 
very stout. The face is the most distinctive part of these ducks, the 
Fig. 6.—Pair of White Muscovy ducks. 
cheeks being naked, with a scarlet, fleshy space around the eyes, and 
the base of the bill carunculated also with scarlet folds. This large, 
red face gives them a savage appearance, and to some it is hideous. 
The neck is well curved and of medium length; back broad and flat, 
breast full and broad, and body long and broad. The wings are very 
long and stout, and the tail is rather long, with abundance of stiff 
feathering. The drake does not have the curled feathers in the tail, as 
do other ducks. 
There are two varieties of Muscovy ducks, the colored and the white. 
The head of the Colored Muscovy is glossy black and white; the bill 
is dark horn in color; eyes, brown; the back in color of plumage is lus¬ 
trous blue black, which is sometimes broken with white; the color of 
