PROFITS IK POULTRY. 



tance from the pond and hidden from view by a screen of 

 evergreens planted for the purpose. Among the birds 

 regarded as both ornamental and useful are the 



SEBASTOPOL GEESE. 



This is a most peculiar variety of the goose, one of its 

 peculiarities being that no one knows why it is called 

 "Sebastopol." It is said to come from the Black Sea 

 country, but even this is doubtful. The characteristic 

 of the breed consists in having a large share of its pure 

 white feathers, especially of the back, wings, aud tail, 

 very long, lax, curled, waved, and frizzled. These 

 feathers give the birds a somewhat bedraggled look, 

 when on land, but impart a most elegant appearance 

 when they are on the water. For the rest, though rarely 

 weighing ten pounds, they are useful table birds, are 

 hardy, prolific, and good sitters and mothers. 



THE WHISTLING DUCKS 



are among the ornamental ducks, in which beauty of 

 plumage is regarded rather than weight. They are 

 from South America, and there appear to be several 

 sub-varieties, distinguished mainly by the color of the 

 bill, but all agree in having a peculiar whistling note. 

 All are very domestic, and remarkably quaint and amus- 

 ing in their habits and movements. The birds shown 

 in the engraving are known as the " Widow Whistler" 

 and the "White-faced Whistler." Their general color is 

 a light shade of chocolate, with black below; the head, 

 neck, and bill are also black, making the white face all 

 the more conspicuous and very attractive. 



