THE CHINA GOOSE. 427 



Book v. chap. 29. We, however, prefer that our G-eese 

 should silence themselves with grass and corn. 



The Eggs of the China Goose are somewhat less than those 

 of the domestic kind, of a shorty oval, with a smooth thick 

 shell, white, but slightly tinged with yellow at the smaller end. 

 The Goslings, when first hatched, are usually very strong. 

 They are of a dirty green, like the colour produced by mixing 

 Indian ink and yellow ochre, with darker patches here and 

 there. The legs and feet are lead-colour, but afterwards 

 change to a dull red. If there is any thing like good pas- 

 turage for them, they require no further attention than what 

 their parents will afford them. After a time a little grain will 

 strengthen and forward them. If well fed, they come to ma- 

 turity very rapidly. In between three and four months from 

 the time of their leaving the shell, they will be full-grown 

 and ready for the spit. They do not bear being shut up to 

 fatten so well as common Geese, and therefore those destined 

 for the table are the better for profuse hand-feeding. Their 

 flesh is well-flavoured, short, and tender; their Eggs are ex- 

 cellent for cooking purposes. I have heard complaints of their 

 being a short-lived species, from good authority, and that the 

 Ganders at least do not last more than ten or a dozen years- 

 The instance above-mentioned does not show them to be long- 

 lived. I cannot verify the facts, as my own experience with 

 these birds extends only to about eight years; but it is quite 

 in opposition to the longevity ascribed to other Geese. Hy- 

 brids between them and the common Goose are prolific with 

 the common Goose ; the second and third cross is much prized 

 by some farmers, particularly for their Ganders :* and in many 



*"I can warmly recommend the cross of the China Gander with 

 the common Goose, as producing finer birds and of much finer flavour; 

 I have kept them for years. Indeed, I like the cross better every 

 season, and have given Ganders to several friends to adopt the same 



