Toulouse Geese 271 



throughout the country are of no particular breed. 

 It is probable that these geese have descended 

 from those imported by settlers at an early date 

 in the history of the country. In some instances 

 improved breeds have been crossed on these common 

 or mongrel geese, but many flocks are still main- 

 tained that are of no particular breed, neither 

 color nor conformation indicating that they con- 

 tain any considerable proportion of blood of improved 

 kinds. 



Toulouse. The Toulouse geese are large, mas- 

 sive, and probably attain a greater weight than 

 those of any other breed. I. K. Felch states* that 

 geese of sixty pounds weight per pair have been 

 exhibited in American exhibitions. 



The American Poultry Association has adopted 

 the following as standard weights: Adult gander 

 25 and adult goose 20 pounds. 



" Toulouse geese usually lay more eggs in a 

 season than Embden or African geese, but not so 

 many as the best China geese. They are nearer 

 non-sitting than any other variety, but some indi- 

 viduals make good mothers. The goslings are 

 greenish yellow in color, generally hardy and vig- 

 orous. They are quiet and peaceable, and more 

 easily confined by stone fences than other breeds, 

 and would be more likely to be contented in close 

 quarters. Toulouse geese are gray in color, with 



* "Poultry Culture," page 404. 



