GEESE. 343 



The Albatross is from 3 to 4 feet long ; the alar extent from 10 to 

 17 feet. Crown of the head pale ash-brown ; the rest of the body 

 partly white, crossed with blackish lines on the back and wings, and 

 with spots in the same direction towards the rump. Primaries black. 

 Tail dusky-lead color and rounded. Bill dull soiled yellow. Legs 

 flesh colored 



GEESE. (Anser, Briss.) 



In these large and well known birds the bill is short or moderate, 

 stout, at the base higher than broad, somewhat conic, cylindrical, de- 

 pressed towards the point, and narrowed and rounded at the extrem- 

 ity ; upper mandible not covering the margins of the lower, the 

 ridge of the bill broad and elevated; the nail somewhat orbicular, 

 curved and obtuse ; marginal teeth short, conic and acute. Nostrils 

 medial, lateral, longitudinal, elliptic, large, open and pervious, 

 covered by a membrane. The tongue thick, fleshy, and fringed on 

 the sides. Feet central, stout, tarsus rather longer than the middle 

 toe ; webs entire ; hind toe equal to a joint of the middle one, simple, 

 touching the ground at tip. Wings moderate, acute, sometimes 

 spurred ; qviills strong, primaries much longer than the secondaries : 

 1st and 2d, or 2d and 3d only, longest. Tail rounded, containing 

 many feathers. 



Female similar in plumage to the male : the young of some species 

 differing much from the adult, and changing their plumage repeat- 

 edly. The moult annual, and protracted. Plumage rather thick. 

 The colors dull, being different shades of dark or light ash color. 

 The size of the species large : and the trachea simple. 



These are chiefly terrestrial and vigilant birds, living in flocks, 

 mostly in marshes and low grounds or by the inundated banks of 

 rivers, migrating according to the season from cold to temperate 

 climates. Their flight is high, and long sustained, and they are usually 

 marshalled in long converging lines. They swim but little, and sit 

 deep in the water, scarcely ever diving, and never from choice. 

 They walk with less awkwardness than the allied genera of Ducks 

 and Swans, are altogether diurnal in their movements, and have 

 excellent sight and hearing ; are extremely vigilant, and when feed- 

 ing or sleeping establish sentinels to advertise them of danger. 



