132 THE POULTRY-BOOK. 



is dunnish on the breast and belly, and is entirely destitute of 

 what Buffon calls a " pouch or dewlap." It is smaller in size 

 than the African, but much larger than the Chinese. As will 

 appear from the portrait, they are the most symmetrical of the 

 goose tribe, and, if such a thing may be said of a goose, this 

 variety is decidedly graceful in its appearance. 



From a letter of Dr. Bates, I extract the following remarks : 



"The gander is twelve years old, and the goose seven 

 months old. For the furtherance of your work, I have con- 

 sented to send you the gander from my own stock, as being the 

 only perfect old specimen in this region ; and I should have sent 

 his mate, were it not she is about laying her second litter of 

 eggs, which she has not failed to do in the month of Dec., for 

 several years. I regret the specimens are not in better condi- 

 tion, as they would present finer shape, if fat ; they have been 

 grass-fed only. The gander has weighed, when in high con- 

 dition, twenty-eight pounds." 



Mr. Giles, in a communication to the author, dated Jan. 17, 

 1850, thus speaks of this goose : 



" I did say that the Indian geese of Dr. Bates are pure, and 

 I now say further, that they are the most pure and best speci- 

 mens I have seen in this country, or any other ; but the Guinea 

 or African goose is a different bird altogether, being full as 

 large again, and differs in color ; they have a coarse voice, 

 unlike any other goose. The pouch, or dewlap, hangs down 

 from one to two inches. A stately and beautiful bird." 



