Page:Ducks- and how to make them pay (IA cu31924003102971).pdf/82

64 by the brilliant colours of the drake. There is no domestic water fowl which comes up to Rouen drakes as regards colour. They are really a picture in themselves when they are in full plumage. The distinct colours attract the attention of every passer-by. They do not commence laying quite so early in the season as the Aylesburies and Pekins; at least, they are not considered to do so; but I have known a Rouen duck to be laying all the winter. Such cases, however, are few and far between. Of course, this makes a great difference where one wants to go in for market purposes. This class of duck is kept a great deal in the south of England. One can go for miles in some parts of the south, and you will find that every farmer has Rouens. This is specially noticeable in Kent. They do not breed them for exhibition-or, at least, only a very few but merely for the table and eggs. I find many of the farmers prefer them to any white ducks, but of course, fancy goes a long way. I do not wonder that people, once seeing fairly good Rouens, go in for that breed. They are a beautiful shape and colour, and most people recognize them as splendid table birds. They eat a trifle stronger than the Aylesbury, more the flavour of a wild duck, and the flesh is delicious. Like most other breeds of ducks they are very hardy. Their eggs vary in colour, the same as those of other breeds. This is a most remarkable thing, because when we get certain varieties of poultry, we can depend upon the colour of the eggs; but this is not the case with ducks, as some lay almost a sky-blue egg, while others lay a dirty looking white. This is no