NESTS AXD EGGS OF AUSTKAf.IA.V BIRDS. 1023 



chief food being herbage. They cat nearly all day, and frequently by 

 night, quickly digesting their food. Sheep will not graze after them, 

 as in the case of the domesticated Goose. 



When a uest is robbed of its eggs the birds lay again, and c viii 

 three times, in the same nest. 



When we visited Cai^e Barren Island, an islander |)re.sented me with 

 a pair of the previous season s birds, which I brought home. They 

 proved docile pets, and amused my friends and neighbours with tlnir 

 deep hoarse voice, resembling the loud grunt of a pig. I was told 

 1 might expect a visit from the inspector of nuisances, because it was 

 supposed I was keeping swine, contrary to the town regulations. Much 

 to my sorrow, one of the Geese partook too freely of the Pigeons' hard 

 food, became cro2>-buund, and died. I transferred it.s iiiate to the Zoo- 

 logical Gardens, llelbournc. 



Cireopxis (the scientific name) is given to the Cape Barren Goose 

 because it lias a peculiar greenish-yellow cere or skinny patch on its 

 short bill. Its plumage is of drab, or greyish colour, the tail is black, 

 eyes bright, yellowish-brown, with large dark pupils; legs brick-red, 

 blending into black feet. When the legs arc red, that colour is a sign 

 of maturity. For the first two seasons in the young bird the legs are 

 dark. The sexes are alike in colouring. Total length of a bird, about 

 33 inches. 



The eggs of Cape Barren Geese are rare. The first pair I received 

 was from a very suggestive locality, namely. Goose Island, Bass Strait, 

 1885. I am informed these birds also used to breed on Cape Portland, 

 Tasmania, the nest being placed among the flags or rushes a short 

 distance from the sea. A second fine pair of eggs was presented to me 

 by Dr. Charles Ryan, who received some clutches from Neptune Island, 

 off the Soutli Australian coast, collected about the end of April (1896). 



S UB-FAM ILY CHENONETTIN.a;. 



746. — Chenonetta jubata, Latham. — (580) 

 WOOD DUCK. 



Figure. — Gould : Birds of Australia, fol., vol. vii., pi. 3. 



Reference.— Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xxvii., p. 140. 



Previous Descriptions of £|'^i.— Campbell : Southern .Science Record 



(1SS3), also Victorian Naturalist (1SS8) ; North: Austn. Mus. 



Cat., p. 336 (1889). 



Giugntphical Distrihution. — Whole of Australia and Tasmania. 



.Yes^ — Within a hole or hollow spout of a tree, usually standing in 

 or near water, the place containing the eggs being lined with greyish- 

 white down, lightest coloured in the centre and on the tips of each 

 particle. 



