_The Egyptian._ This is the smallest of the standard breeds of geese. In type it more nearly approaches the Canadian than any other breed but it is somewhat longer in legs, showing more of the thigh beneath the body. The body is not carried in quite such a horizontal position as the Canadian but slopes downward slightly from the breast to the tail. The neck is neither so long nor quite so slender as that of the Canadian. This breed is the brightest colored of any of the geese and breeds fairly true in color and markings. Like the Canadian the Egyptian goose is likely to become uneasy at times and one wing should therefore be pinioned or the flight feathers clipped to keep the birds from flying away. Like the Canadian the Egyptians mate in pairs only and lay but one sitting during the year. The females do not lay until they are three years old. Neither the Egyptian nor the Canadian geese should be closely confined or no eggs will be laid. The goose should be allowed to make her own nest and hatch her eggs. [Illustration: FIG. 50. Left--Egyptian Gander. Right--Sebastapol Goose. (_Photograph from the Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture._)] [Illustration: FIG. 51. Left.--Toulouse Gander. Right--Embden Gander. (_Photographs from the Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture._)] [Illustration: FIG. 52. Left--Wild or Canadian Gander. Right--African Gander. (_Photographs from the Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture._)] [Illustration: FIG. 53. Left--Brown Chinese Gander. Right--White Chinese Gander. (_Photographs from the Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture._)] Preparing Geese for the Show The preparation of geese for the show is comparatively a simple matter. It requires first of all that individuals shall be selected which approach nearest to the standard requirements both in type and in color. As to the actual preparation for exhibition the geese are practically self-prepared. For a period of at least a week or ten days before they are shipped to the show they should be given access to a grass range and to running water. The grass range tends to put them in good condition while the running water will give them an opportunity to clean themselves. Any broken feathers should be plucked at least six weeks before the birds are to be shown so as to give them an opportunity to grow in new ones.