The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1895-10-04


true to more limited extent In
some parts OF Southern Ireland. When
In conversation with farmers ana
farmers wives. more especially In cum
bcrland. / learnt that they pin their
faith strongly to the Indian Runner,
declaring this TO be the most profitable
duck known. This " due TO the TACT
that the production OF eggs Ia their CHIEF
object, table qualities being n second
airy consideration. A few particulars
with regard TO this variety Will be OF
interest.
Up TO the present time information
with regard to the origin OF the indian
Runner has been very scant, and even
now We cannot point to any DEFINITE
particulars respecting them, nor whcth-
or they are bred I'm any foreign country
In n small brochure issued by Mr.. j.
Donald OF Wlgton. Cumberland. II ia
stated that about nifty years ago drake
and three ducks were brought from In
Ola 10 Whltehnvcn by n sea captain, but
aa the term India. even today. and to a
greater extent 1fty years ago. may
mean any place east Of the Cape OF
Good Hope. this does not help uH as to
the definite port Of shipment or pur-
chase. am not without hope that THIS
article may lead some readers In Asia
10 make Inquiries on the subject MI
Donald states that the same captain
brought over further consignment
few years later. but that they were not
known 20 their introducer by any spe-
cial or distinctive name, having simply
attracted his attention when ashore by
their active habits and peculiar pen
guln carriage"
and. we believe, the second also, we're
presented TO some friends In West Cum.
bcrland. In whose hands they remained
absolutely for many years. But, with
that desire for sharing In good thing
which Ia characteristic OF the Cum
briana, n lnrgo demnnl rapidly aprung
up for stock. and thus they have dis.
semlnnted themselves through that and
the adjoining county. The name given
10 them ~. first, because they are sup
posed to have come from India, and.
second. that they have running"
galt: hence we have reached the COM
blnatlon Indian Runncra."
A breeder OF this variety says that he
considers Indian Runners tho best pay
| Ing variety OF duck to keep. except
when reared absolutely and entirely for
/ the table. For that purpose they are
undoubtedly small. 3 to lbs. each
/ when fully grown. Whilst they do not
| readily fatttn thct ~" very nice eat
/ ing. and the 'an more resembles the
/ flavor OF Will luC. l'nt Is much softer
| and more cash, ,lfsU. Al ten or twelve
| weeks old the Indian Runner Is M ten
| der na young chicken. The flesh II
| parti-colored the neck and shoulders
/ creamy white, and the rest OF the body
much darker, the dividing limo being
very clear and distinct
As already mentioned. Il Is na n lay
/ ing duck that the Indian Runner oxcols,
l and Is said 10 average 800 to 1870 eggs
per annum, without any special feeding
but almply when given hard corn morn
Ing and night. when worms are easily
found they require very little food 9th
or than this The eggs are OF fair size,
white In shell. OF good flavor, and not
nearly 20 strong as Ia uaually the case
with duck eggs. Mr.. Glllett informs me
that he has ten Runner ducks which
have laid 7i6 eggs from January LIST to
May 3Oth OF the present year. which
considering the severe frosta which pre-
vailed during the first three months, ~
remarkable result The highest
average was slxty-ono eggs from ten
ducks In one week. As n rule. N prop
erly grown. these ducks commence lay
ing when about Ave months old and II
they arc Matched In May and June will
begin TO lay before the severe weather
arrives. and continue egg production
right throughout the winter. Early
Matched ducks are liable TO moult In the
autumn, and this means fewer eggs IN
the colder months. Ducks hatchCd the
| a.. - Ia Mach hnWa lnaU, Eu,us.t o
commence the first week In August. and
IL Is more desirable 10 bring them out
sn that they will begin Ia November
Five duckn can be run with one drake
and the eggs are remarkably fertile
Indian Runners are non-sltters but. a,
ia most other breeds In which the ma,
ternal instinct Is suspended, exception.
are found to this rule. but cannot be re.
lied on for sitting purposes.
In appearance the Runner IN lengthy
and slightly built, with close compac
plumage. The fore part OF body Is ele
waited. and the head carried high. Thii
tyne Is found TO be the best layers.
The following Ia a description OF tn,
characteristics OF the Indian Runner:
Beak: Bright orange In color, with
triangular tip OF Jet black, but as az,
advances the orange color becomes
spotted with olive green. and fnall,
assumes n dark olive green color. espe
clally In ducks. the drake retaining IN,
orange much longer.
Head: or the drake. above the eye
A very dark brown. with a slight patel
below the eye ON each side, these mark
ings being neatly rounded on behind
Neck Pure white down to near tn
shoulders. which. with the breast, Is 0
a beautiful grayish-hrown.
Under parts black, and wings pur
white.
Tail: Brown. with curled feather
white. and for about two inches aboy
the tail the feathers are very rlcl
dark brown.
Logs: Orange color
The duck has similar markings TO tn
drake. except that the colored parts ar
, a sober brown, like a very light Roue
In summer the drake. as is the cas-
with Rouens, assumes colo
like that OF the duck on bach
shoulders and chest. but Is no
ouitc so light In color, Tn
head also becomes OF a more dowd