Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-09-26


see the large num-
bers of this vari-
ETY. of waterfowl kept. The same Is
true to a more limited extent III
some parts of Southern Ireland Whel
in conversation with farmers anu
farmers wives, more especially IN Gum
berland, learnt that they pin their
faith strongly to the Indian Runner.
declaring this to be the most prontaple
duck known. This is due to the 1act
that the production of eggs is their chlel
object, table qualities being second
airy consideration. A few particulars
with regard to this variety Will De OF
interest.
Up to the present time information
with regard to the origin of the lndlah
Runner has been very scant, and even
now we caanot point to any dennlte
particulars respecting them, nor "hetn-
err they are bred in any foreign country
In small brochure issued by MI. >.
Donald of Wigton. Cumberland, II is
stated that about fifty years ago drake
and three ducks were brought from IN
dia to Whtehaven by sea captain, put
as the term India, even today, ana 10
greater extent fifty years ago, may
mean any place east of the cape OF
Good Hope. this does not help us as 10
the definite port of shipment or pui-
chase. l am not without hope that TINS
article may lead some readers IN ASIA
to 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 to their intrOducer by any spe-
cial or distinctive name, having simply
attracted his attention when ashore by
their active habits and peculiar pen
gum carriage"
The first speciments brought over,
and, we believe, the second also, were
presented to some friends in West Cum
berland, in whose hands they remained
absolutely for many years. But. with
that desire for sharing in good thing
which is characteristic Of the Cum
brians, large demanl rapidly sprung
up for stock, and thus they have dis
seminated themselves through that and
the adjoining county. The name given
to them Is, first, because they are sup
posed to have come from India. and.
second, that they have running
gait; hence we have reached the COM
bination Indian Runners
A breeder of this variety says that he
considers Indian Runners the 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 fatten, they are very nice eat
ing, and the flesh more resembles the
flavor of wild duck, but is much softer
and more easily eaten. At ten or twelve
weeks old the Indian Runner is as ten
der as young chicken. The flesh is
parti-colored, the neck and shoulders
creamy white, and the rest Of the body
much darker, the dividing line being
! very clear and distinct.
AS already mentioned. it is as a lay
ing duck that the Indian Runner eXcels,
and is said to average 120 to 1870 eggs
| per annum, without any special feeding,
! but simply when given hard corn morn
| ing and night. When worms are easily
| found they require very little food 9TH
er than this. The eggs are of fair size
white in shell. of good flavor, and not
nearly so strong as is usually the case
with duck eggs. Mr.. Gillett informs me
that he has ten Runner ducks which
have laid 746 eggs from January LIST to
May 30th of the present year, which
considering the severe frosts which pre-
vailed during the first three months, is
a remarkable result. The highest
average was sixty-One eggs from ten
| ducks in one week. AS rule, If prop
erly grown. these ducks commence lay
ing when about five months old and ii
they are 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 Matched the
first week in March have been known tt
commence the first week in August. ant
it is more desirable to bring them out
so that they will begin in November
Five ducks can be run with one drake
and the eggs are remarkably fertile
Indian Runners are non-sitters, but al
in 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 Is length,
and slightly built, with close, compac
plumage The fore part Of body is ele
waited, and the head carried high. Thi
type is found to be the best layers.
The following is a description of tn,
characteristics of the Indian Runner:
Beak: Bright orange in color. with
triangular tip Of jet black, but as ag
advances the orange color becomes
spotted with olive green, and finall,
/ assumes a dark olive green color, espe
cially in ducks. the drake retaining tn
orange much longer.
Head: OF the drake, above the eye
a very dark brown, with slight patel
below the eye on each side. these mark
ings being neatly rounded of behind
Neck: Pure white down to near tn
shoulders. which. with the breast, Is o
q beautiful grayish- brown.
Under parts black. and wings pur
white.
Tail: Brown, with curled feather
white. and for about two inches abov
the tail the feathers are a very ric
dark brown.
Legs: Orange color.
, The duck has similar markings to tn
, drake, except that the colored parts ar
, a sober brown. like very light Roue