GEESE. 



139 



but, becoming attached to this projection of the clavicle, receives from the point 

 described its centrical direction into the body. The whole length of the windpipe is 

 four feet eight inches." 



The semi-palmated goose (Anseranas semipalmata) is a large, striking-looking 

 bird, glossy, greenish black, with the shoulders, rump, breast, and abdomen pure 

 white. Its voice is said to be a loud whistling. 



Dr. G. Bennett, in a letter to Mr. Gould, speaks of it in the following manner : 

 " The semi-palmated goose I have seen domesticated in Sydney in a poultry-yard, 



FIG. 65. Plectropterus rilppelii, spur-wmged goose. 



having been hatched by a common hen. This bird in its anatomy evidently ap- 

 proaches the cranes, and in habits also. Especially when you see it running about the 

 poultry-yard, it resembles one of the Gruidse more than a goose." And again he 

 says: "The black and white plumage imparts to the bird a very handsome appearance 

 as it walks with a stately ti'ead (not with the waddling gait of the goose) about the 

 yard of my house, like one of the waders." He further states that they are easily 

 tamed, are very amicable to the other poultry, but require company in order to thrive. 

 The flesh, however, is said to be coarse and not well-flavored. This species inhabited 

 southern, southeastern, and northern Australia, but seems to have been driven away 

 from the southern parts by the progress of cultivation. At Dr. Leichardt's time they 



