308 
selves, it is their fault if things are not settled exactly to 
their liking ; at least all societies and all interests may easily 
be represented there by delegates, friends, or neighbors of 
necessary absentees. 
‘Let us have a Convention called. The Executive Com- 
mittee of the American Association is composed of but 
twenty men, and a ‘‘baker’s dozen’”’ could hardly be got 
together at once out of this score of gentlemen, scattered as 
they are from Maine to California; and these dozen men 
ought not to be asked to revise this standard by themselves. 
It is the people’s work to do, and the masses should meet 
and complete it rightfully, in concert with this Association. 
No one can justly object to this plan. B. 




ae ee — 
PouttRY DEPARTMENT: 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THE WOOD DUCK. 

TuIs is a most beautiful specimen of the web-footed tribe, 
differing from most other sorts by the habit of constructing 
its nest in the hollow or decayed portions of trees, and some- 
times by laying sticks across the forked branches, from which 
the young drop into the water. They only remain in this 
latitude through the summer, and at the approach of cold 
weather emigrate to a warmer clime; hence it is sometimes 
called the ‘‘Summer or Carolina Duck,’’ which closely 
resembles in appearance the Chinese Mandarin. It is 
known in the United States from the northern to the 
southern limits, as well as an inhabitant of Mexico and the 
West India Islands. 
They are often seen in quantities in the New York and 
Philadelphia markets, though the flesh is said to be inferior 
to the Blue-winged Teal. Its food consists of seeds, wild 
oats, insects, and aquatic plants. - 
In this State the female usually lays, early in May, eggs 


FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
of an oval shape, resembling polished ivory in color. In- 
cubation lasts twenty-five days. When they are hatched 
some distance from the water the mother carries the young 
from the nest in the tree to it, where a flock of them skim- 
ming about is very ornamental. They may be domesticated 
by setting the eggs under a hen or tame duck, and approach- 
ing the young quite frequently until they become familiar, | 
never allowing them to become suddenly or unnecessarily 
frightened. As they become domesticated they increase in 
size, and if the birds are properly moulted, by attention 
and proper food, their crests become more and more devel- 
oped, and the plumage more brilliant, but they will not 
breed in confinement until they become accustomed to their 
abode and contented therein. 
Their great beauty renders thorough domestication so 
desirable that no prejudice in favor of small size should be 
allowed to interpose, as no poultry show is complete in their 
absence. The adult drake has a red bill, margined with 
black, and having a black spot between the nostrils, and a 
sort of hooked projection at the end. The irides of the eye 
are orange-red. Crown of head and crest pendant of a rich 
glossy bronze-green, and beautifully marked with a line of 
pure white running over the eye and another behind it, 
producing a very striking appearance. Chin, throat, and 
color round the neck pure white. Breast dark violet brown, 
marked with spots of white, increasing in size until they 
spread into the white of the belly. Sides under the wings 
thiekly and beautifully marked with fine, undulating, paral- 
lel lines of black on a ground of yellowish-drab. Tail 
coverts long, of a hair-like texture at the sides, over which 
they droop, and are of a deep greenish-black. Back dusty 
brown. 
The female has a smaller crest on the head, with a crown 
of dark purple, a bar of white behind the eye, white chin 
and throat; neck drab, breast dusky brown, with gold and 
greenish reflections. Tail is shorter, and the hair-like 
coverts of the male wanting. Altogether their plumage is 
splendid and attractive. : 

(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
ABOUT BLACK RUSSIANS. 
BELIEVING it is well that we should know as much as 
possible about the different breeds of fowls, and believing 
that the economic value of fowls particularly should be well 
understood by those at least who breed them for profit, I _ 
venture in this short article to offer a word of protest-against 
the praise which has been lavished on the particular breed 
known as Black Russians. 
I was first led to think favorably of them through a circu- 
lar forwarded me several years ago by one who was at the 
time breeding them. I corresponded for some time with 
this breeder with the intention of testing the fowls, but the 
replies I got were not altogether satisfactory. . 
It will be recollected by many of my readers that some 
eighteen months ago an illustrated article appeared in the 
Poultry World, giving a brief description of the fowls. 
The writer cautiously says: ‘They appear to have useful 
economical qualities, prodigious reports having been made 
of their laying qualities, &c.” Believing that the writer of 
the article was deceived, like myself, I have nothing to say 
and lay no blame to him. The truth is I believed too im- 
plicitly in the representations of several who were interested 
in the breed, and bought some of these fowls. I do not find 
