204 BIRDS AND MAN 



era, and is probably the oldest picture in the world. 

 It is a representation of six geese, of three different 

 species, depicted with marvellous fidelity, and a 

 thorough appreciation of form and colouring. 



Among the most distinguished in appearance 

 and carriage of the handsome exotic species is the 

 Magellanic goose, one of the five or six species of 

 the Antarctic genus Chloephaga, found in Pata- 

 gonia and the Magellan Islands. One peculiarity 

 of this bird is that the sexes differ in colouring, the 

 male being white, with grey mottlings, whereas the 

 prevailing colour of the female is a ruddy brown, — 

 a fine rich colour set off with some white, grey, 

 intense cinnamon, and beautiful black mottlings. 

 Seen on the wing the flock presents a somewhat 

 singular appearance, as of two distinct species 

 associating together, as we may see when by chance 

 gulls and rooks, or sheldrakes and black scoters, 

 mix in one flock. 



This fine bird has long been introduced into this 

 country, and as it breeds freely it promises to be- 

 come quite common. I can see it any day ; but 

 these exiles, pinioned and imprisoned in parks, are 

 not quite like the Magellanic geese I was intimate 

 with in former years, in Patagonia and in the 

 southern pampas of Buenos Ayres, where they 



