The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-24
INDIAN RUNNER DUCKS
MAKE LAYING RECORDS
Not Beautiful TO Look At, but
Are Strictly Business
at All Times.
ny EDWIN MEGARGEE.

The first sight OF the Indian runner
duck invariably excltes amusement. The
odd shape, coupled with the stilty and
peculiar carriage. gives this duck Il most
extraordinary and Rrotesquo appearance.
on better acquaintance amusement gives
place to respect when the remarkable
qualities OF this duck are fully appre-
clated. IL Is not "A thing OF beauty. but
II Is most distinctly a business bird.
The original stock was brought from
India TO England prior 10 the middle OF
the last century. Other lmportntions have
been made, even ne late az 1906.
The name runner ducks" evidently
comes from the peculiar gait OF these
birds which is unlike that OF other ducks.
They do not waddlc along, but run or
trot wherever they 20.
Two varieties Of Indian runner ducks
are bred In America--fawn and white and
the pure white The latter II spor,
from the first named variety and Is less
extensively bred than the older kind.
In body conformation these ducks are
tall and slender. much like soda bottle
on legs. THIS upright carriage Ia a most
distinctive feature.
Another unmistakabls characteristic Is
the long. lean and very fiat head and
bill The lire from the crown OF the
head 20 the tip OF the bill should be
straight. or very nearly so The eye Is
Dlnftn very nlEil III tnt Utdu. klNlnk tnt
appearance OF being on top OF the skull
In the fawn and white variety. which
Is shown IN the illustration, the color
should be az follows Bill, yellow and
grcen,eh yellow. with hlnck bean shanks
and toes. orange red. and eyes, dark
brown.
The head f. fawn and white. darker
IN the male than other parts or the
body 4 white line divides the emp from
81 ~ ~ No NM n
the bill from the head markings.
Tho neck 's white 70 n point about two
Inches above the base. fawn below. This
lawn color continues down the breast &c
n Point midway between tho point OF the
hrCRstbone and the legs. and then gives
/ wav 70 white.
Shoulders and tops OF wings are fawn
the wing primaries and secondaries white
The back Il fawn throughout. Tail feath.
ers OF ducks light fawn of brakes, bronze
green. II IL essential that the markings
be distinct and clean cut.
brakes weigh four and one-halt pounds
ducks four pounds. or course this makes
too small bird to he OF use as a pro
| ducer of regular market stock. The flesh
though limited In quantity. IN high In
| quality. and for those who desire small
table birds II proves satisfactory.
But the Indian runners claim to utilit,
| value lies In Its ability as n producer OF
| eggs. II II said that certain individuals
have made records approaching 800 egg
| In year and that certain strains aver
age twelve to fifteen dozen per year
These figures nave not been officially au
| thenticated. hut II IL n fact that these
| birds are truly wonderful layers. Tn,
! eggs have white shells. are large as com
/ pared with hens eggs and find read,
/ sale. In some markets they are sold a,
/ selected hens eggs. In others they ar,
Chased as runner duck eggs, and brin,
premium above regular quotations OF
ordinary hen fruit"
The birds are hardy and easy to man
age. Youngsters make rapid growth, an,
come TO laying maturity early. In view
! OF their undeninble value II IL safe Z,
predict that Indian runner ducks will b
bred extensively In the future.
copyright, 1914. by Matos-Msws ADJ
| Co Insl