DUCKS AND DUCK-BREEDING. 305 

embarcation, and to discover where similar ducks can be 
obtained, but in vain. The term “India” may mean East or 
West, and does not materially help us. Upon the farms of 
Cumberland ducks of this type are to be freely met with, and 
they are greatly in favour because of their wonderful laying 
powers, which are greater than of all other races of ducks. 
The eggs are about the same size as from hens. The birds 
are usually hardy. [or table purposes they are small, adults 
weighing 33 to 41 lbs., while ducklings would be about 
2 lbs. lighter; their flesh, however, is excellent, and if a 
trade in small ducklings could be created they would meet 
aneed. As the name indicates, they are excellent foragers. 
In appearance the Indian Runner is peculiar. Combined 
with the long, upright body, as in the Pekin, it has a very 
fine long neck, and its head and bill are also long and fine. 
The body is not so deep as in the breeds already described, 
much more of the leg being seen. There are two colours: 
(1) the fawn, and (2) the brown and grey; the former is 
generally favoured. The head, breast, back, wings, and tail 
in drakes of these varieties are fawn or brown and grey 
respectively, with white neck and sides in each case, but the 
ducks are pencilled. 
THE Muscovy DUCK. 
This variety has been known for more than three centuries, 
and it appears to have received. at various times two other 
names, the Peruvian and the Barbary duck. The name is 
said to have been given in honour of some merchants in the 
sixteenth century, called the ‘“‘ Muscovite Company,” but the . 
general impression is that the term is a corruption of Musk 
Duck, so called by reason of the odour of the bird before it 
is cooked. The breed has, however, never become popular, 
firstly, because it is not pleasing in appearance, and, secondly, 
it has so bad a temper that other fowls can scarcely be kept 
where it is. The birds are, on the other hand, wonderfully 
tame, and will answer the call of anyone with whom they are 
familiar, but they are great wanderers, and sometimes remain 
IG a 
