a 
1 May, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 359 
but they may be more properly termed a table bird. Their flesh is perhaps 
not quite so fine and delicate as the Aylesbury, but they produce a good 
square frame, and are a meaty bird when dressed. They cross well with 
the Aylesbury, whose introduction into ‘their midst tones ‘down the colour 
of their flesh, and makes a good table bird—they mature more quickly 
and often attain greater size in the time. The plumage is soft and 
loose, being white, with a tinge of yellow in the under down, which gives 
them a light yellowish appearance, and is a sure sign of purity of breed, as they 
lose this to a great extent as the Aylesbury strain gets in. The head is short, 
and likewise the bill, which is bright yellow, the breast and back are wide, 
while the feet are bright orange. The”Pekin is perhaps the most extensively 
bred strain in South Australia, where there are some good table flocks, also 
exhibition specimens to be seen. In the lattér Mr. J. H. Hobbs, Mr. R. 
Nischke, and Dr. R. E. Harold have done good work, while the latter has taken 
the attention of Messrs, C. Rake and Sons, and Mr. John F. Mellor, both 
having some splendid stock birds kept for breeding next season’s supply of © -. 
table ducks. 
ROUENS. 
These have their origin in France, although some persons have expressed 
doubts on that point. They are not usually bred for the export trade on 
account of their dark plumage, which goes against them, inasmuch as when 
plucked the skin is darker, and the pin feathers being dark also, make the 
appearance not so attractive; yet their large size is a great quality in their 
favour, as they exceed both Aylesbury and Pekin in weight. A pair of prize- 
takers in England turned the scale at 22 lb. 2 oz., but, as before stated, this is 
only obtained by excessive fattening, and at a certain cost of losing fertility in 
the eggs. They are harder than the white varieties to breed to colour, owing 
to their very uniform and complicated markings. In colour they greatly 
resemble the wild Mallard duck of Europe, from which it is surmised they may 
have sprung, but that domestication has put weight on all round. ‘The drake 
is truly a very handsome bird, with his metallic green head and chocolate 
breast, having a narrow white rmg dividing the two colours on tie lower part 
of the neck, but not quite meeting round it; the under part is delicate French 
grey, while the back is*a greenish-black. The duck is of a brownish appear- 
ance, having the feathers pencilled round with a dark brown. Both sexes have 
a broad ribbon mark{of bright metallic blue or green across the wing. The bill ~ 
of the drake is dull yellow, with a green tinge, while the female has a darker 
colour. The breed is rather scarce in South Australia; in fact, they seem to 
have decreased in the colonies during these last few years, but through the 
enterprise of Mr. John I. Mellor, of “ Holmforth,” Fulham, some excellent 
birds have been imported from Europe, and he has been rewarded during the 
last season by taking all the prizes at our two leading Adelaide Shows, 10 
pens taking 11 prizes. ‘They cross well both with Aylesbury and Pekin, and 
are then a good marketable bird for colonial consumption. 
MUSCOVEYS, 
The Muscovey or “ Musk Duck” seems a comparatively distinct species, 
and the progeny of a cross between them and the more common kinds has been 
found decidedly unfertile. In fact, I have found that they do not mate with 
other ducks if they have their own choice, keeping with their own kind in all 
respects. Their native country is South America, where they enjoy the warm 
climate, and breed well. They are in great numbers in the Amazon district. 
They are black and white as a rule, but the colour varies greatly, some may be 
seen pure. white, while others are black, and some of a slate blue hue, a 
peculiarity about them is ths bare skin about the head, generally lumpy and 
red. They are splendid eating, bnt they must be killed while young, or else a 
musky flavour will pervade the body, which is not pleasant. They are beautifully 
-plump, and when plucked, the breastbone, instead oi being above the flesh on 
the breast, is almost lost sight of altogether in a valley. The drake is of great 
So a ee oe 
