428 THE CHINA GOOSE. 



flocks the blood of the China Goose may often be traced by 

 the more erect gait of the birds, accompanied by a faint stripe 

 down the back of the neck. With the White-fronted Goose 

 they also breed freely. 9 



In the very clear and useful " Manual of British Vertebrate 

 Animals/' by the Rev. Leonard Jenyns, this bird is recorded 

 as Cyguus Guineensis, or Guinea Swan, another synonyme; 

 though it is hesitatingly added, " Native country somewhat 

 doubtful." 



plan." W. D. F. "They frequently couple with our tame Geese, 

 and produce a bastard kind between both ; they are excellent meat 

 when young and fat, being of a different and pleasant taste from 

 that of the common Goose" Albin, vol. i. p. 87. 



" I cannot say that I admire the edible qualities of the Canada 

 Swan, for such it properly is. We tried one here a few years back, 

 and only voted it, I believe unanimously, extremely good for nothing. 

 The knob-fronted, or Swan Goose, is really a good bird, and I have 

 known some families which regularly kept them for the table in pre- 

 ference to the common bird." E. of D. 



"In the government of Penda, all kinds of Poultry are of a large 

 size ; the Geese are mostly of a spurious breed from the Chinese, or 

 those with a swan-neck ; and in every village Pigeons fly about in 

 abundance." Pallas, South Russia, vol. ii. p. 18. 



