THE POULTRY BOOK. 
315 
or Grey-lag. Writing of the Amev pliwulcoym, or Pink-footed goose, Mr. 
Yarrell states that — 
‘'Little is known of the particular habits of this species in a wild state, but 
Temminck mentions that three specimens, kept in a domestic state, with others of 
the Grey, the Bean, and the White-fronted species, did not associate with either of 
them, but kept by themselves. The same habit has been observed of this species 
in two instances in this country. 
“ The Zoological Society have had a male for several years, which has never 
associated with any of those of the various other species with Avhich it has been 
confined. 
“ The Ornithological Society had a female, which, during the summer of 1840, 
would not associate with any of the various species kept with her in St. James’s 
Park, yet she laid eight eggs, and began to sit ; from which, of course, there were 
no proceeds.” 
Leaving the question of the origin of the domestic goose, we now come to the 
consideration of the different domesticated varieties of this bird. The most marked 
are the large white goose, generally termed the Embden goose ; the large grey 
goose, or Toulouse ; the common mottled grey and white, or saddle-back goose ; 
and lastly, the curled-feathered, or Sebastopol goose. 
The common grey or white goose has no distinguishing features to call for 
special notice ; it is inferior in size and capability of early maturity to the improved 
breeds, such as the Embden or Toulouse. Eespecting the relative advantages of 
these two breeds, it is difficult to speak positively, — each have their admirers and 
advocates. Mr. Hewitt writes : — 
“ In geese I must claim pre-eminence for the Embden or white variety. I have 
traced the best specimens of this kind through several owners, and found that the 
originals (in these instances) came from Holland. One of their great advantages 
is this, that all the feathers being perfectly white, their value, where many are 
kept, is far greater in the market than is ever the case with coloured or mixed 
feathers. In weight, too, these birds have an advantage even over the Toulouse. In 
instituting comparisons between the white and coloured geese, I have noticed that 
the pendent abdominal pouch of the Toulouse tells sadly against it when dressed, 
and would undoubtedly be prejudicial to its sale, in accordance with the current 
opinion of such an appendage being indicative of advanced age ; though, in the 
Toulouse, it is as apparent in the living gull of six months old, as it would be in 
the Embden variety at thrice as many years. The quality of the flesh is about equal 
in flavour in either kind ; but the Embden is the earliest layer, and frequently 
rears two broods in one season, the young ones proving as hardy as any with which 
I am acquainted. The Embden goose has prominent blue eyes, is remarkably 
strong in the neck, and the feathers, from near the shoulder to the head, are far 
more curled than is seen in other birds. 
“ All white aquatic poultry are considered to dress, id est, ‘ pluck’ of a clearer 
and better appearance, than the parti-coloured or dark-feathered birds, more 
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