1 Man.,, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 203 
tt his Imported birds were larger than their parents. Indian Runners breed 
te to standard; the breed is very prepotent, and stamps itself to such a 
Tarked degree that crossbreds often closely resemble the pure bird. The main 
Hinbabout an Indian Runner is his gait—the peculiar run, quite free from 
&, from which he gains his name. This run is justly considered the hall- 
». 2 England—taken, of course, with erect carriage, high-held head, long 
the 3 and slim, graceful body. Colour should not be washy, but a nice full fawn, 
a uck having a slight pencilling, The heads of both sexes should be fawn- 
a cured. ‘The drake’s beak is, more or less, a greenish yellow, and the ducks more 
e leaden-creen colour. The wings are white, and when folded give the bird the 
in farance of having a white saddle. Birds of various colours have been sold 
@ ugland as the genuine article, but of late there haye been some very fine 
jbéchnens exhibited, notably a pair which Mr. Digby, the well-known duck- 
‘vith *!, Won within 1896 at Birmingham. I advise crossing Indian Runners 
60h Pekins or Aylesburys, and then next year select the finest crossbred ducks 
ted, and mate back either to Pekin or Aylesbury blood. [think any way would 
‘ea for producing a good crossbred—z.e., first, back again to Indian Runner, 
its St Sacrificing size would give very greatly improved laying powers ; secondly, 
to Pekin or Aylesbury (using birds of a different strain), whichever variety 
Used in the first cross, would give size at any rate, and none need be kept as 
Bo es 3 thirdly, going back to Pekin, when Aylesbury was used in the first cross, 
a yee? versd, we should gain all the merits of a triple combination. Thus, we 
4 that ate Pekin-Aylesbury is a splendid cross for the table; we also see here 
Pa, © Indian Runner is an early maturer of excellent quality, and in addition 
Tt ‘yer. In all matters of cross-breeding extra caution is needed ; fair 
ttre can be obtained by gradually improving the stock each year, by infusing 
lood ; still the results of haphazard introductions of new blood can never 
st «me certain results as obtain when careful matings are made to produce 
“tosses, There is little doubt in my mind that the Indian Runner will prove 
a 
vactent factor in the success of the poultry industry in this colony. Old or 
ae they are very hardy ; they are excellent foragers, and prefer to live on 
hey gf “c.; they are therefore eminently suited for the fruitgrower. At night 
ou 
#00 be housed in a well-ventilated shed bedded on straw ; in the morning 
fo. °S they have laid, they may be released ; they generally return at night 
Bevon fvening meal. Active foragers such as these do no harm in an orchard, 
Ven, 2 Occasional bath and drinking requirements, Indian Runners are not 
Partial to water, 
exp, Shall be very pleased to hear from any readers as to their season’s 
P< cence and other items of interest ; carefully compiled information 
Val Mee poultry-keeping in various parts of the colony will prove very 
be, ‘ we Many people are afraid of publishing their methods; they need not 
Wit, ,“* any misapprehension, for there are many far more successful and 
den, ge cater experience who are always ready to drop useful hints for the 
“it of others, samias: 
a a old stock should be disposed of. After the time of laying, say two and 
*ars, a hen eats more than she pays for, and the cocks lose vigour. 
oF FRESH MEAT BONE. 
ire, 
a Sve 
{00 
, ton » With all the juices in them. These can be obtained in any quantity in 
4 bones 1", very little, and of any good butcher in the country. .No more 
are 6, “al food can be given the poultry than fresh bones, well broken, as they 
"So an Y digested, and go directly to aid in the formation of the shells of the 
d the building up of the system of the bird generally. 
th 's an idea amongst some poultry-breeders that when they are advised to 
: Slr fowls fresh meat bone, the bones should be those of meat after it is 
ut the term “fresh meat bones” means the bones of animals newly * 
