THE POULTRY BOOK. 
317 
scientific name of Cygnus anseroides. Though now usually regarded as true 
geese, their close alliance to the swans is indicated by the specific name of Anser 
cygnoides. Of these birds two distinct varieties are known, one is pure white, 
with bright-yellow bills and feet. The coloured variety, which is more common, is 
remarkable for the modest arrangement of colour in the plumage, and is strongly 
characterized by a dark stripe down the back of the neck, a peculiarity which, in a 
lesser degree, characterizes the hybrids between it and the common species. As 
layers, Chinese geese are greatly superior to the common species, usually laying 
more than thirty eggs before wanting to sit : they commence in the very cold 
weather, and lay two, and sometimes even three, batches of eggs in the year. They 
are good grazers, but obtain a larger proportion of their food from streams than 
the common birds. 
Nevertheless, they have their drawbacks : they are often accused of keeping up 
an incessant screaming clang, which is said to be continued throughout the night. 
That their voice has a disagreeable metallic resonance, is perfectly true, but it is 
uttered so seldom as to be quite unobjectionable. It is never to be heard during 
the night, and seldom in the day, except when they are frightened, or come home 
hungry. In the first case, it may be regarded as advantageous, as it may be 
regarded as a cry for assistance, or a warning that the owner’s property is in 
danger ; and in the second, their mouths are soon closed by a handful of oats or 
barley. 
They are very domesticated, keeping near home, and returning constantly in the 
afternoon ; but if they are not shut up a little before dark, they are apt to take to 
the river or any adjacent water, and, spite of all coaxing and remonstrance, persist 
in spending the night out of doors. This propensity is (in a place where they may 
meet with more admirers than their owner) somewhat of an objection ; but it is the 
only fault that can be alleged against them. As table birds, they are of very 
superior quality. 
They breed freely with the common goose, and what is very remarkable, the 
hybrids so produced are perfectly fertile if mated with either the Chinese or 
common geese ; but there is some doubt whether they are fertile, inter se, that is, 
if mated with each other, so as to perpetuate the true cross. The experiment has 
been tried with birds of the same brood, but the only way in which it can be 
satisfactorily performed, is by pairing two half-bred birds not related. 
The plan of feeding that it is best to adopt with these and other aquatic birds 
having an extensive range, is as follows : — In the morning early they should be let 
out, when they immediately proceed to the river or the water, and feed for an 
hour or two, they then come out, dress their feathers, and graze, afterwards they 
return to the river, and wander about until the afternoon, when they return, and 
should be rewarded for their attachment to home by a little corn. At dusk 
they should be shut up, about two handfuls of oats or barley being allowed to 
each bird. This is best placed in a large pan of water, in the house where they 
are enclosed. 
