566 ' The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



arrival of the flocks is anxiously looked for both by Indians and trappers, and the destruction 

 enormous. While the supply lasted, one goose, which commonly weighed about nine pounds, was 

 usually reckoned as the daily ration of one of the Company's servants, and, according to Dr. 

 Richardson, was considered equal to eight pounds of buffalo or moose meat, or two pounds of 

 " pemmican." In domestication this weight is far exceeded, and it is worth noting that the weight 

 of the wild bird is at least equal to that of the Grey-lag. The cry is said by some naturalists to 

 resemble the syllable " hoitc, hone,'' while others call it " kaivk, kaiuk." 



Upon the whole, this variety appears to possess every quality useful in a goose ; and it is 

 greatly to be desired that it should be more kept as farm stock, and not merely, as is now the case, 

 among the ornamental water-fowl. 



THE CHINESE GOOSE.— This goose {Ansa- cygnoides), called also the Hong-Kong 

 Goose, the Knobbed Goose (from the protuberance at the base of the bill), and even the Spanish 

 Goose, occupies, like the preceding, a somewhat debatable position between the geese and the 

 swans, both the protuberance just mentioned, and its long neck, giving it a somewhat intermediate 

 character. Like the varieties already spoken of, it is very widely distributed, ranging over China, 

 great part of Asia, and it is believed even of Africa. It has been already stated, upon the authority 

 of Mr. Blyth, that the common domestic goose of India is a hybrid between this goose and the 

 Grey-lag, and it is very remarkable that these hybrids appear perfectly prolific, and perpetuate the 

 cross with a little care ; not, as is usual with crosses, reverting to either of the parent races. It 

 appears to be domesticated with the utmost facility, and to be as hardy and easily reared as any 

 other variety. Of its extremely ornamental appearance we need say nothing to those who have 

 observed any of the specimens usually to be found in the Zoological Society's collection at Regent's 

 Park. In size it is midway between the common goose and the swan, whence it might probably 

 be bred with care to very great weight ; and in one point it has a most decided advantage over all 

 other breeds of geese— viz., in prolificacy. While other geese lay rarely over fifteen eggs, and as a 

 rule once a year, though some will lay twice, the Chinese Goose usually lays about thirty eggs 

 before desiring to sit, and will lay three or even four litters in one season. The eggs are not so 

 large as those of the common goose, not exceeding about two-thirds of the size ; but this still leaves a 

 great deal to the credit of the Chinese; and as in other respects — such as size, aptitude to fatten, and 

 ease of management — it appears in no respect inferior, while the quality of flesh is, if anything, 

 decidedly superior, it is surprising to us that this beautiful breed has not long since been widely 

 distributed amongst farmers and goose-breeders. The cry is harsh and peculiar when hungry, and 

 the bird is said to be fond of swimming at night ; but both these failings are very easily remedied 

 by giving a feed of corn the last thing, and then shutting them up till morning. 



This goose is found to vary somewhat in colour. The most usual colour, perhaps, is a greyish 

 brown on the back and upper parts, passing to white or whitish grey on the abdomen ; fore part of 

 the neck and breast a yellowish grey, and a very dark brown stripe running down the entire back 

 of the neck from the head to the back. The bill and legs are orange in this variety, and the 

 protuberance at the base of the upper bill dark or almost black. Other birds are white, all but a 

 pale stripe down the back of the neck ; this peculiar stripe appearing to characterise all colours in 

 the pure Chinese Goose. And we have seen specimens in which the bill and legs were black ; but 

 the purity of these is not, perhaps, quite certain. Another distinguishing character of the Chinese 

 Goose is a dewlap, or kind of feathered wattle under the throat. 



THE EGYPTIAN GOOSE, also called the Nile Goose {Chenalopex ^gyptiacus) is a most 



