128 BIRDS. PALMIPIDES. Mercus. 



neck, and the feet have a reddish tinge. Linnaeus confounded this and the 

 preceding species, under the title Anas Bernicla, although they had previously 

 been well distinguished by "Willoughbv. Temminck censures Linnaeus for 

 bestowing the trivial name erythropiis on the bernacle. The error, however, 

 does not belong to Linnaeus. Had the celebrated Dutch naturalist looked at 

 the description of Linnaeus, he would have found, that, under the name ery- 

 thropus, the laughing goose is well described ; and, had he glanced at the pages 

 of Willoughby, he would have perceived the inexpediency of adopting the 

 epithet " Leucopsis," from Bechstein, as " Bernicla" had long preoccupied 

 its place ; and avoided the employment of " Bernicla" to designate the 

 " Brenta." 



As a straggler, the Anser rufaollis, (Anas ruficollis Bed-breasted Goose, 

 Temm. Orn. h. 82G.), here merits a place. It may readily be distinguished by its 

 brown bill, with the black nail and feet. The crown, throat, belly, and tail 

 black ; the vent, rump, and tail-covers white ; the front of the neck and breast 

 red. This species, a native of eastern and northern Europe, has been two or 

 three times found in this country. One was shot near London, in 1 7CC, and 

 another taken alive in Yorkshire, according to Montagu. One was shot near 

 Berwick-upon-Tweed, by Mr Burney, gunsmith, and sent to Mr Bullock, in 

 whose possession I saw it in May 1818. 



Several species of geese have likewise been imported, and continue in a do- 

 mesticated state ; among which may be reckoned, 



1. A. Gambensis. Egyptian, Ganser, or Gambo Goose, Will. Orn. 273 Bill 



red ; the throat, cheeks, and upper part of the head are white ; the back, rump, 

 and tail are glossy black; each wing has a blunt spur on the bend. — Intro- 

 duced from Africa. 



2. A. Canadensis. Canada Goose, Will. Orn. 276 — Bill black ; head and 

 neck black ; a white crescent on the throat. Back greyish-brown. Belly, vent, 

 and tail-covers white. Tail black — Introduced from North America. 



3. A. Hispanicus. Chinese, Spanish, Guinea, or Swan Goose. Will. Orn. 



275 Bill orange at the base, with a large knob. A wattle under the throat. 



A dark-brown stripe from the nape to the back. Deportment stately Na- 

 tive country doubtful. 



Gen. XC. MERGUS. Goosander— Bill narrow. Hind- 

 toe with a fin. Nostrils near the middle of the bill. 



200. M. Merganser. Green-headed Goosander. — Bill and 

 legs red. Breast and wing-spot white. 



Merganser, Will. Orn. 253.— Mergus Mer. Linn. Syst. i. 208 Penn. 



Brit. Zool. ii. 55C— Temm. Orn. ii. 881 E, Jack-saw; W, Hwyad 



ddan heddoy; JV. Harle. — Breeds in Orkney and the Hebrides. — A 

 winter visitant of other districts. 



Length 28, breadth 38 inches ; weight 4 pounds. Bill crimson, narrow be- 

 fore the nostrils ; ridge and nail dusky. Mouth orange. Feet scarlet ; the 

 nails dusky. Irides chesnut. Head and neck deep duck-green, becoming 

 black under the chin. Lower neck, shoulders, and below white, tinged with 

 cream yellow. Feathers on the nape loose, and slightly produced. Primaries, 

 and their covers, brownish-black. The foremost secondaries black ; the mid- 

 dle ones white ; the inner ones, which are long and pointed, are white, edged 

 with black. First covers of the secondaries white, with a black base ; the se- 

 cond white ; those at the shoulder dusky, with pale edges. Inner scapulars 

 black ; outer ones white. Upper back deep black, verging to grey at the 

 rump. Tail of 18 grey pointed feathers. The female, which is the Dundiver 

 (Mergus castor) of British writers, has a long crest. The head, and upper 



