Muscovy, Cairo, Guinea, or Indian Duck (Anas moschatus, Linn.; Le Canard Musque, Buff.), s.
This species is much larger than the common duck, measuring about two feet in length. The bill is two inches long; the tip and nostrils brown; the other parts of it red, as is also the red warty skin which joins its base, and surrounds the eyes. The crown of the head is rather tufted or crested, and black; the cheeks, throat, and fore part of the neck, white, irregularly marked with black; the belly, from the breast to the thighs, white. The general colour of the rest of the plumage is deep brown, darkest, and glossed with green on the back, rump, quills, and tail; the two outside feathers of the latter, and the first three of the former, are white: the legs and feet are red, short, and thick. This is the general appearance of the musk duck; but, as it is domesticated in almost every country, it varies very much, like all other birds in that state. In the female, the bare warty or carunculated skin which is spread from the bill over the eyes, is of a much duller red, and does not cover so large a portion of the head as it does in the male: she is also of a less size.
These birds have obtained the name of Musk Duck, from their musky smell, which arises from the liquor secreted in the glands on the rump. They are a thriving and prolific species, and their flesh, which is highly flavoured, is by many very much esteemed. They will associate with the common ducks; and instances are not wanting of their producing a mixed breed.—Bewick.
Muscular, a. Performed by muscles.
Musk, s. A very powerful perfume; it is procured from a kind of Indian goat.
Musket, s. A soldier’s gun; a male hawk of a small kind.
Musketeer, s. A soldier whose weapon is his musket.
Musketoon, s. obs. A blunderbuss, a short gun of a large bore.
Muslin, s. A fine stuff made of cotton.