GREY LAG GOOSE. 



ANSERES. 



253 

 ANATIDjE. 



' 4 ' n\ 



I /ijrj^VA 



Anser cinereus, Meyer.* 



THE GREY LAG GOOSE. 



Anser ferns. 



Anser, Brissonf. — Beak nearly as long as the head, sub-conical, elevated at 

 the base, which is covered with a cere, or skin ; a conspicuous nail at the tip ; 

 under mandible smaller than the upper. Nostrils lateral, placed towards the 

 middle of the beak, pierced anteriorly. Wings large, the second quill longest. 

 Tail of sixteen feathers. Legs under the centre of the body ; the tarsi moder- 

 ately long ; the hind toe free, articulated upon the tarsus ; the three anterior 

 toes united by a membrane. 



The last Order of Birds which now remains to he con- 

 sidered consists of the Geese, Swans, Ducks, and Mergansers, 

 which are remarkahle for their powers of swimming and 

 diving, and are commonly called Water Fowl. From the 

 geographical position, extent, and varied character of the 

 British Islands, the species of this Order are numerous. 



* Taschenb. deutscb. Viigelk. ii. p. 552 (1810). 

 t Ornithologie, vi. p. 2t)l (1760). 



