FANCY FOOD FOWLS 243 
them swim. They are easily raised on the farm, requiring 
little care and being generally free from the diseases and 
vermin with which chickens are troubled. It is best to have 
a good hen hatch them and mother them. There are about 
ten different breeds, the Pekin and the Rouen being the most 
important. The Pekin duck 
is white and the plumage 
of the Rouen is colored in 
beautiful shades of brown. 
Geese. — These are like 
ducks in being web-footed 
water-fowls that are raised 
for their meat and feathers. 
They are much larger than 
ducks and chickens, how- 
ever, being outranked in weight only by the turkeys. They 
should have freedom to range over a wider field than ducks 
need, and though opportunity for swimming is not absolutely 
necessary, they thrive better if they can have access to a 
stream or pond. There are at least five or six different 
breeds. 
Park OF GRAY TOULOUSE GEESE 
Fancy Foop Fow ts 
Pigeons and Squabs. — Pigeons have long been kept for pleasure, but 
in recent years the raising of squabs has become somewhat important, 
especially where there is a good market for them. Sgquab is the name 
given to the young pigeon as long as it sits in the nest. Well-grown 
squabs are in great demand among fastidious meat eaters, as they are 
noted for the superior excellence of their flesh. 
Domestic pigeons are closely related to our wild mourning doves, but 
they did not originate from them. They are descended from the Rock 
pigeon, a wild species common in Europe and Asia; and as their ancestors 
were domesticated at least 3000 years ago, breeders have had plenty of 
time to develop the many varieties we now see. 
