CHINA GEESE. 23*7 



well in an extended landscape on a placid river, beside a boat filled 

 with shaven fishermen : but, however, it matters not what country it 

 came from, it deserves to rank in the first class of ornamental poultry. 

 It is not only valuable for its beauty and prolificness, but for its early 

 breeding and aptitude to fatten. They breed from three to four times 

 a year. They begin to lay in November, if the season be mild, and 

 in January the goslings are hatched, and if kept in a warm, dry place, 

 may be fit for the table in April or May. I have not been very suc- 

 cessful in hatching them, owing somewhat, as I fancy, to my having 

 no water for them, except a running stream. A quiet lake or pond, 

 I believe to be more to their taste, and perhaps more conducive to the 

 fecundity of their eggs. A China goose will lay from fifty to sixty- 

 five eggs in a year, under favorable circumstances, are steady sitters, 

 and will rear a brood well, if allowed their own way ; no great care 

 being necessary on the part of the owner. 



D. T. KING. 

 Waterville, Oneida co., N. Y., July, 1852. 



WHITE CHINESE, OR SWAN GOOSE. 



Of this most beautiful variety, which approaches nearer to 

 the swan than any other goose, Mr. Dixon says : 



The white China goose is of a spotless, pure white a very few 

 grey feathers have since appeared more swan like than the brown 

 variety, with a bright orange-colored bill, and a large, orange- colored 

 knob at its base. It is a particularly beautiful bird, either in or out 

 of the water, its neck being long, slender, and gracefully arched when 

 swimming. It breeds three or four times in the season, but I was not 



