39 
Description.—Toulouse geese are more compact in shape than other 
geese, and are preferred by many for this reason. The head is rather 
large and short, and they have a comparatively short bill that is stout 
at the base; the neck is carried well up and is ot medium length. They 
have a broad back of moderate length, which curves slightly from the 
neck to the tail; their breasts are broad and deep. The body of the 
Toulouse goose is moderate in length, broad, and very deep and com¬ 
pact, the more compact the better ; and in birds in good condition the 
• belly almost touches the ground. Their wings are large, strong, and 
fold nicely against the sides, and they have comparatively short tails, 
and stout thighs and shanks. In color of plumage they are a dull gray, 
without penciling. The head is dark gray and the neck of the same- 
color, which shades to a lighter gray as it approaches the back; the 
back is of dark gray, while the breast is light gray. The body plumage 
is light gray, which grows lighter and becomes white on the belly; the 
white extends back .to and around the tail, covering the fluffy parts. 
The primaries of the wings are dark gray or brown; the secondaries 
are a shade darker than the primaries and the coverts are dark gray. 
The tail feathers are gray and white, the ends tipped with white. Their 
eyes are dark brown or hazel in color; their bills, shanks, toes, and 
webs are of deep reddish-orange color. 
Weight.—The standard weight of the adult gander is 20 pounds; 
adult goose, 20 pounds; young gander, 18 pounds, and young goose, 15 
pounds. 
WHITE EMBDEN GEESE. 
History.—White Embden geese (fig. 30) are considered very practical 
birds for farmers, and pay well for their keeping. They are nice look¬ 
ing, of large size, tall and erect carriage,, and snow-white plumage. 
They originally came from Embden, in Westphalia, and have been bred 
in this country for many years. 
Description.—The Embdens are not so prolific as the Brown Chinese 
or Toulouse, 20 eggs in a season being a good average for them. Their 
eggs are very large, white, and have a very thick, rough shell. In car¬ 
riage they are very tall and erect, and have fine square bodies. They 
have rather large heads, medium-sized bill, and a long neck that is car¬ 
ried upright. Their backs are of medium length, and arch slightly 
from the neck to the tail; the breast is round and full, and the body is 
large, square, and very deep, and, like the Toulouse, almost touches the 
ground The wings are large and strong; tail short; thighs and 
shanks short and stout. Their eyes are bright blue; bills flesh color; 
and their shanks, toes, and webs are deep orange. 
Weight.—The standard weight of the adult gander is 20 pounds; 
adult goose, 18 pounds; young gander, 18 pounds, and young goose 10 
pounds. 
