anatid^—anseriNjE: geese. 897 



Chen, Anser, and Branta, and are modelled in the likeness of the domestic breeds. Notable 

 exotic forms, which used to be referred to this subfamily but are now kept apart, are : the 

 Australian Anseranas semipalmata and Cereopsis nocce-hollandice, and the African species of 

 Plectropterus (for all of which see p. 892). The Asiatic Cygnopsis ci/gndides, frequently domes- 

 ticated, is a true Goose with a Swan-like aspect. The Egyptian Goose, Chenalopex cegyptiaca, 

 and its South American ally, C. jubatus, are Duck-like Geese related in some particulars to the 

 Spur-winged Geese; their true position is in question. The Geese are directly connected with 

 Ducks through the rather large Sheldrake group, the species of which resemble Geese in some 

 external features, but are more essentially like Ducks. Characteristic examples of this group 

 are the European Tadorna cornuta and Casarca casarca. There are several other Duck-like 

 Geese, as the African Cyanochen cyanopterus, the Australian Clienotietta jubata, and about 

 6 species of Chloephaga, all South American, like C. melanoptera ; these are sometimes grouped 

 as a subfamily apart. Our long-legged arboricole genus Dendrocygna belongs iu the imme- 

 diate vicinity, while the domesticat(;d Musk Duck, Cairina moschata, is not far removed. 

 Through such forms as these we are brought directly among the Ducks proper. Some notable 

 exotic Geese of very small size, not larger than Teal, are the Goslets composing the genus Net- 

 topus, with 4 species — N. aurita of Africa, N. coromandelianus and N. pulchellus of Asia, etc., 

 and N. albipennis of Australia. Among typical exotic Geese, hardly separable generically 

 from Branta or Anser, may be named Nesochen sandvicensis of the islands whence its generic 

 and specific designations are both derived ; Uufibrenta ruficollis, tlie Red-breasted Goose of Asia; 

 and Eidabeia indica, the Indian Bar-headed Goose. The character of the subfamily would 

 appear to much better advantage if it were restricted to such genera as the three last named in 

 connection with Anser, Chen, Branta, Philacte, and Cygnoides, as is done by Salvadori. 



Analysis of Genera. 



Bin pink ; feet yellow ; under parts extensively black. Bill tapering, not longer than head. Lamellie moderately 

 exposed Anser 



Bill and feet pink Plumage white, or much varied. Bill tapering, not longer than head. Lamellae completely 

 exposed Chen 



Bill and feet black ; head and neck black, with white spaces. Bill tapering, shorter than head. LamelliB hidden 



Branta 



Bill and feet light ; plumage bluish, with black crescents. Bill tapering, not longer than head. Lamella- partly 

 exposed Philacte 



Bill and feet various ; plumage much variegated. Bill scarcely tapering, longer than head .... Dendrocygna 

 Obs. — These characters only indicate the North American species. 



AN'SER. (Lat. oMse/-, a goose.) Gray Geese. Land Geese. Bill shorter or not lunger 

 than head, very stout, tapering to obtuse tip, at ba.se rather higher than broad. Lateral lainellje 

 somewhat exposed by bevelling of tomia. Nostrils in basal half of bill, their anterior edge only 

 reaching its middle. Tibite naked below. Tarsus rather shorter than middle toe and claw, 

 entirely reticulate. Anterior toes full-webbed, on top reticulate at base, then scutellate. Hind 

 toe moderate, reaching the ground. Tail of IG -f- featbers. Color not white, nor with black 

 head, neck, bill, or feet. This genus contains the most typical Geese, among them being the 

 wild original of the domestic Goose, A. anser, ferns, or cinereiis, commonly called tlie Gray 

 Ijag Goose; the Bean Goose, A. fab(dis or segetum, now to be introduced to our Fauna on 

 good evidence; the Greater Bean Goose, A. grandis; tlie Pink-fnoted Goose, yl. bravhy- 

 rhynchus; and A. erythropus, which latter is closely related to our White-fronted Goose, but 

 is not much larijer than a IMall.ird. 



Analysis of Species and Siib.fpecies. 



Nail iif bill black or dusky. Face not wliito. (Straggler from Europe) fubalis 



Nail iif hill white or pink. Face of adult white. 



Smaller : length about '-'7. 00-'_>.S.(X1 : ciilmen 1. 50-1. "5. (Straggler from Europe) (dfiifrnns 



Larger; length about 'J8.00-30.00 ; culmeu 1.7r>-'i.0<) or more. (N.Am.) i •i>tmMi 



57 



