. Principles and practice of poultry culture . Poultry. 446 POULTRY CULTURE Pekin with white skin and pale bill. The experience of American breeders with Aylesbury crosses cannot be taken as conclusively showing racial differences, for similar results might have followed the importation of Pekins of European stock. It is generally admitted that the Pekin Duck has reached its highest development in this country.^ Of other races of this class the Rouen ranks first, and is considered by many actually much superior in meat quality to the Pekin, especially when full grown. At that stage it is said


. Principles and practice of poultry culture . Poultry. 446 POULTRY CULTURE Pekin with white skin and pale bill. The experience of American breeders with Aylesbury crosses cannot be taken as conclusively showing racial differences, for similar results might have followed the importation of Pekins of European stock. It is generally admitted that the Pekin Duck has reached its highest development in this country.^ Of other races of this class the Rouen ranks first, and is considered by many actually much superior in meat quality to the Pekin, especially when full grown. At that stage it is said to dress more easily than the white duck. The black (Cayuga) and blue (Swedish) ducks have their admirers, but make little progress in popular favor. The breeding of races of this class other than the Pekin is largely in the hands of fanciers. The shape of all these ducks (except the Muscovy) is much the same (the body long, broad, and deep, the breast full and promi- nent, the keel well developed), espe- cially in old birds. In the Muscovy there is greater breadth, with less depth of body and little keel. The chief shape difference in ducks of this general type is the carriage of the body, and this differ- ence, it should be observed, is artificial, the typical carriage being designated largely for the purpose of maintaining a semblance of breed difference in varieties which in practical breeding tend to become alike. The carriage of body in American Standard exhi- bition ducks of this type is Rouen, Aylesbury, Cayuga, Muscovy, and Blue Swedish, nearly horizontal; Pekin, a little elevated in front. The elevated carriage of the Pekin is more charac- teristic of the male than of the female, and tends to disappear with increase of weight. The typical carriage as shown in model illustrations is usually the extreme pose of the bird in an attitude which emphasizes the desired feature. In every point of shape (including size), varia- tions in individuals and stocks are constantly fou


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Keywords: ., bookauthorrobinson, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1912