Durks.—The white duck, being the largest of the common domesti cated kinds, is perhaps the beet for the poulterer, though it is not deemed so delicate in flavour as the dark-coloured, such as that bred from intermixture with the Rhone duck, which is also large. The Muscovy variety is said to be a good breeder. One drake is sufficient for five females. It is generally believed that the duck lays no more eggs than she can cover (from twelve to fifteen), but Mr—Moubray states that, if well fed, some ducks will Lay a great number, and he gives an instance of one laying an em every day for eighty-five days.
For a fortnight after their birth ducklings should be kept from rushing into water, to which their instinct soon leads them ; and with this view the mother is frequently confined (where there is any pond within her reach) to the rip, already described, which should be placed on a field of short grass, with a flat dish of water near it. The duck ling waddle about in search of insects, and at the maternal call return to the coop. This restraint upon tho liberty of the poor mother should be avoided if circumstances permit, for to protract her class) confinement after more than four weeks' sitting is a cruel restraint. It is very common to place duck-eggs under a hen, on account of her excellent qualities as a nurse.
Any kind of meal is good for ducklings at first, and this may soon be mixed with potatoes. The refuse of the kitchen will not only support but fatten them; but to have them quickly and highly fattened, they should have oatmeal made into paste. They will also devour any animal offal, and have no fastidiousness whatever. If allowed to follow a plough or attend on the gardener when his spade is at work, their greediness and activity in picking up worms are extreme ; and for gobbling np snails and slugs and other such delicacies in the field or garden they are most useful, while they are at the same time putting themselves into high condition. having no fastidiousness of appetite, they never require cramming, indeed they act as though they considered it their duty to get fat as quickly as possible, and therefore required no artificial aid.
In a poultry-yard the ducks and geese are frequently lodged on the lower floor of the fowthousea, but it is better, if the locality will permit, to give them distinct chambers, particularly where a good pond (free from eels) is available ; on the margin of this their huts may be placed with very trifling labour, and an invisible paling all round the water, constructed at bottom on the principle of the cage trap, 80 as to prevent the ingress of rata or weasels, while it affords them a ready outlet, renders this department of the poultry establish ment complete, though far too expensive for common adoption.
"Many families in Bucks derive a comfortable living from breeding and rearing ducks, the greater part of which, the early ones at all events, are actually brought up by hand. The interior of the cottager, of those who follow the occupation presents a very curious appearance to the stranger, being furnished with boxes, pens, &c., arranged round the walls for the protection of the tender charge of the good wife, whose whole time and attention are taken up with this branch of domestic economy." (Moubray.) Geese.—The proportion of females to the males is the mune as in the duck tribe, and the period of incubation and the number of eggs that may be set correspond exactly. The goose lays in a mild spring very early, and on this account (but only with high corn-feeding in the previous winter, and stimulating food during the entire breeding season) two broods may be had in the same year. Unlike the peacock and the Guinea cock, the gander is not only indisposed to do any mischief to the nests, but is very attentive to the hatching birds, whom he vigilantly protects as he sits patiently by ; nor is his protection, as he accompanies the goslings in due course, less creditable to his parental character. The goose is a very steady sitter, but usually rises often enough to drink and take sustenance, without its being necessary to remove her from the nest for the purpose.
The early treatment of the goslings is similar to that of ducklings. The mother should be penned up for some days upon dry grass, but neither too early nor very late in the day ; beet leaves or other green food may be mixed even with the early diet, if immediate fattening ho not the object.
Green geese are brought very early to the London market, and aro worth at first from 8s. to 12s. each ; they can be made quite fat with oatmeal and peas, and skimmed milk or butter-milk, when from four to six months old : many prefer oats alone.