ANSER. GOOSE. 587 



of its lower part broad and rounded ; those of the fore part 

 of the back and the larger wing-coverts very broad and 

 abruptly terminated, of the hind part of the back ovate and 

 rounded, of the breast small, but of the sides very large, 

 much curved, and abrupt ; the scapulars very large ; the 

 numerals eight or ten, narrow, rounded. The wings long, 

 broad, with twenty-six quills and pointed, the first quill 

 being slightly shorter than the second, which is longest, the 

 outer four or five quills more or less cut out toward the 

 end ; the secondaries broad and rounded ; the inner elon- 

 gated. Tail short, rounded, of sixteen rather broad, rounded 

 feathers. 



Yellow, orange, or red are the predominant colours in 

 the feet, as well as in the bill, which is sometimes partially 

 black. Grey, brown, and white prevail in the plumage. 



The Geese inhabit chiefly the temperate and arctic 

 regions of both continents. They reside mostly in marshes, 

 but frequently betake themselves to dry pastures and fields. 

 Their food consists of vegetable substances, chiefly grasses, 

 but also the leaves, stems, and roots of various herbaceous 

 plants, as well as seeds. Although they feed chiefly on 

 land or in marshy places, and walk strongly, generally in a 

 sedate manner, they also, when swimming in shallow water, 

 pull up the submersed parts of vegetables by immersing the 

 head and neck ; but in searching for food they never dive. 

 The strong-curved, thin-edged ungues, of which the inner 

 surface is grooved or scrobiculate, are the instruments used 

 in cuttting plants for food ; and the action of the gizzard is 

 aided by a great quantity of fine quartz sand. They sit 

 lightly on the water, and swim with considerable speed, 

 keeping the neck erect. Their flight is strong, moderate as 

 to speed, sedate, with short movements of their outspread 

 wings, the neck stretched forward. When flying to a dis- 

 tance they arrange themselves in lines, either continuous or 

 angular, and when migrating keep at a great height. Their 

 cries are strong, harsh, and creaking, but not disagreeable 

 when coming from a distance. They are at all seasons 

 gregarious. The nest, composed of grass and other herbage, 

 is placed in marshes or on islands. The eggs, numerous, 



