264: DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



The egg of the duck is by some people very much relished, having h 

 rich piquancy of flavor, which gives it a decided superiority over the 

 egg of the common fowl ; and these qualities render it much in request 

 with the pastry-cook and confectioners — three duck eggs being equal 

 in culinary value to six hen eggs. The duck does not lay during the 

 day, but generally in the night; exceptions regulated by circumstances, 

 will, of course, occasionally occur. While laying, the duck requires 

 more attention than the hen, until she is accustomed to resort to a reg- 

 ular nest for depositing her eggs — once, however, that this is eflfected, 

 she will no longer require your attendance. 



THE DOMESTIC GOOSE.— The best variety of the domestic goose is 

 that which varies least in color. Gray is the best color. Mixed colors 

 should be rejected. 



As to breeding geese. These birds, as has been ascertained by M. 

 St. Genis, will pair like pigeons; and even if the number of ganders 

 exceeds that of the geese, no noise or riot takes place, mutual choice be- 

 ing evidently the ruling principle. Amongst other experiments tried 

 by M. St. Genis, he left, besides the patriarch of the flock, two of the 

 young ganders, unprovided with mates, but still those couples that had 

 paired kept constantly together, and the three single ganders never 

 attempted to approach any of the females during the temporary absence 

 of their lords. M. St. Genis also remarked, in the course of his obser- 

 vations, that the gander is more frequently white than the goose. 



The goose deposits from ten to twenty eggs at one laying; but, if you 

 do not desire her to sit, you may, by removing the eggs as fast as they 

 are laid, and at the same time feeding her highly, induce her to lay on 

 from forty-five to fifty. This is, however, unusual, and it is unprofitable. 

 When tolerably well cared for, geese may be made to lay, and even 

 hatch, three times in the year. This care consists merely in high feed- 

 ing and good housing early in the spring, so as to have the first brood 

 early in March ; but we would rather have two good broods reared than 

 three bad ones, and we are, therefore, more disposed to recommend 

 patience and moderation. 



The goose will, when left to the unassisted promptings of nature, be- 

 gin to lay about the latter end of February, or the beginning of March. 

 The commencement of the laying may be readily foreseen by marking 

 such geese as run about carrying straws in their mouth. This is for the 

 purpose of forming their nest, and these individuals are about to lay. 

 They should, then, of course, be watched, lest they drop their eggs 

 abroad. Once a goose is shut up, and compelled to lay her first egg of 

 that laying in any particular nest, you need be at no further trouble 

 about her; for she will continue to lay in that spot, and will not stray 

 on any account elsewhere. 



We can always detect the inclination of the goose to sit or hatch. 

 This is known by the bird keeping in the nest after the laying of each 

 egg longer than usual. The hatching nest should be formed of straw, 

 with a little hay as a lining; and so formed that the goose will not fliug 

 the eggs over the side when in the act of turning them. You need not 

 banish the gander ; on the contrary, let him remain as near the nest as 

 he chooses; he will do no mischief, but will act the part of a most vigi- 



