THE CHINA GOOSE. 423 



of the creature is sufficient, but is as much dependent on feed- 

 ing as the fatness to which a bullock is brought. A Goose 

 that I supplied with as much oats as she could eat, besides 

 grass, potatoes, and cabbages, laid Eggs larger than ordinary; 

 one of them (with a double yolk) weighed seven and a half 

 ounces, nearly half a pound. I need hardly say that double- 

 yolked Eggs are very rare, except among birds that are .highly 

 fed. 



Another peculiarity is their deficient power of flight, com- 

 pared with the rest of their congeners, owing to the larger 

 proportionate size of their bodies.* The common Domestic 

 Goose flies much more strongly than its brother from China. 

 Indeed, of all Geese this is the worst flyer. There is no oc- 

 casion to pinion them. While the Canada Goose thinks little 

 of a journey from the North Pole or thereabouts to Great 

 Britain, while the Egyptian Goose pays us occasional visits 

 from Africa, while the merry little Laughing Goose, if tamed, 



* "In opposition to this statement, permit me to say, that the 

 China Geese, if true bred, fly very well, at a considerable height and 

 long distances. As a proof that they fly, many years since, a la- 

 bourer coming to his work at Capesthorne, near Macclesfield Mr. 

 Davenport's found an Egg on the grass in the park evidently drop- 

 ped by some bird that had flown over, as no such Geese were known 

 there. The Egg was set, and produced a Chinese Goose, which lived 

 more than twenty years, having died about three years since; ap- 

 parently of old age. I have often seen the Goose, and sent a China 

 Gander to solace her declining years, but she would not allow him to 

 come near her. Last year, I used often to admire the fine sweeping 

 flights of five of this breed near my house. I am quite sure as to 

 many of this breed flying quite well and strong." W. D. F. I can 

 only account for this by the fact that there are more varieties of the 

 China Goose than is commonly suspected, as nothing like the power 

 of flight here described, the truth of which cannot be doubted, has 

 ever fallen under my own observation, at home or elsewhere. 



