COLORED AND WHITE MUSCOVY DUCKS.
History.—Muscovy ducks ([fig. 6]) form a distinct genus, having several peculiarities or characteristics which make them different from others. They are sometimes called the Musk duck, owing to the odor of musk which pervades the skin, but which is not noticeable when cooked. These ducks are found wild in the warmer regions of South America. In Brazil they are extensively domesticated and are prized very highly for eating. In this country and Europe, particularly in Germany, they are bred in large numbers. Wild Muscovies are easily frightened and very good flyers; they fly into trees when alarmed and remain there for long periods of time before leaving their place of concealment. They sometimes build their nests in branches of trees, and also in hollows near water.
Description.—Muscovy ducks are very unsatisfactory birds to keep on the farm with other poultry, owing to their quarrelsome and pugnacious natures. In the wild state, before pairing, the males tight desperately, doing great harm to each other; and this fighting, quarrelsome disposition is inherited by the domestic duck. The temper of the drake is spoken of as abominable; his persecution of other poultry is never ceasing, and he is credited with having attacked even children when his "dander was up." The flesh of the Muscovy is considered very good when eaten young, and compares favorably with that of any other duck. They do not lay nearly so many eggs as the common kinds. When bred they must be kept in yards by themselves, and their wings must be clipped to keep them from flying.
Fig. 6.—Pair of White Muscovy ducks.
The head of the Muscovy duck is rather long, and in the drake it is large, the top being covered with long crest-like feathers, which rise and fall when the bird is alarmed. The bill is of medium length and very stout. The face is the most distinctive part of these ducks, the cheeks being naked, with a scarlet, fleshy space around the eyes, and the base of the bill carunculated also with scarlet folds. This large, red face gives them a savage appearance, and to some it is hideous. The neck is well curved and of medium length; back broad and flat, breast full and broad, and body long and broad. The wings are very long and stout, and the tail is rather long, with abundance of stiff feathering. The drake does not have the curled feathers in the tail, as do other ducks.
There are two varieties of Muscovy ducks, the colored and the white. The head of the Colored Muscovy is glossy black and white; the bill is dark horn in color; eyes, brown; the back in color of plumage is lustrous blue black, which is sometimes broken with white; the color of the breast and body is the same as that of the back. The wing coverts are rich, lustrous green black, and the tail feathers may be either black or white, the latter being preferred. The thighs, like the tail feathers, may be either black or white, white being preferred; the shanks, toes, and webs vary in color from yellow to dark lead or black. The White Muscovy in color of plumage is pure white throughout; feathers of any other color will disqualify the bird for show purposes. The eyes in the white variety are of a leaden-blue or gray color, while those of the colored are brown. The shanks, toes, and webs are of a pale-orange or yellow color.
Weight.—The standard weight of the adult drake is 10 pounds; adult duck, 8 pounds; young drake, 8 pounds, and young duck, 7 pounds.