330 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
In colour they are mostly gray or brownish, with lighter 
edges to the feathers, the plumage having a barred appearance. 
They are vegetarians, feeding mainly on grass or other 
green food. All species are migratory, and the sexes are alike 
incolour. As mentioned above, there are persistent rumours, 
some resting on competent authority,* that Geese have been 
seen in Ceylon. If eventually any specimens are procured, 
they will probably prove to be Anser ferus—the Gray Lag 
Goose—which breeds in the north, and visits Northern India 
during the winter in considerable numbers, occasionally 
wandering further southwards. It is a large bird, the males 
running to 32 inches in length, with a wing measurement of 
18 inches. The general colour is brownish-gray with lighter 
transverse barrings. It is just possible, however, that another 
common North Indian species, Anser indicus—the Barred- 
headed Goose—may some day turn up as a straggler. This 
species is more slender in build than the Gray Lag, and the 
greater part of the plumage is a clear pale gray. Old birds 
can be told at once by the white head with two black bars on 
the nape. Young birds have the crown and nape dark brown 
without any black bars. 
Sub-family Anatine. 
Ducks. 
The ducks constitute a large and varied sub-family, nearly 
thirty species being found in the Indianarea. ‘Twelve of these 
have occurred in Ceylon, and it is possible that stray specimens 
of others may from time to time straggle to the Island. 
In size they are generally smaller than Geese. The legs 
are rather short, set far back, and adapted more for swimming 
than walking. The bill is usually broad and shallow, with 
the lower mandible narrower than the upper, into which it 
shuts, so that the lamellze are seldom apparent when the bill 
is closed. The nail, or “ dertrum,” at the tipof the upper 
mandible is, as a rule, bent downwards into a distinct hook. 
The nostrils, save in one genus not found in Ceylon, are 
situated. less than half way from the base of the bill. In the 
majority of species the drakes before the breeding season 
* Vide Legge, p. 1072, footnote. 

