As no studies from a Mendelian standpoint seem to have been made on ducks, the following experiments were undertaken. The results thus far obtained are sufficiently interesting and suggestive to make a first report on the work in progress desirable. The record shows that too few individuals in the FI generation have been reared to make much theoretical discussion profitable.
My thanks are due Mr. B. B. Horton for permitting me to carry on this work at "Oakwood."
DESCRIPTION O F BREEDS
The two breeds used, which were crossed reciprocally, were the Pekins and Rouens. It is well known that both varieties breed true. Some 200 of the former and 40 of the latter have been reared, and without exception have been true to type.
The shanks and feet are orange. The ducklings are yellow throughout.
The male (fig. ) is brilliantly colored. His head and the upper half of the neck is deep lustrous green, bounded on its lower edge with a narrow white ring, often incomplete dorsally. The ventral side of the lower half of the neck, together with the breast (i. e., anterior to keel) is a deep claret (maroon). The remainder of the ventral surface is iron gray, becoming black posterior to the anus. The entire dorsal surface, posterior to the neck ring, is dark, being dull brownish anteriorly, becoming black in the The Pekins (fig. ) are white with yellow bills.
The Rouens are practically domesticated Mallards.