678 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



The Blue Goose, {Chen caerulescens) , is an- 

 other great rarity. In color it resembles tlie 

 emperor, but tlie blue body is not barred, the 

 white is more extended and the beak shows the 

 heavy mandibular groove of the genus Chen. 

 For manj^ years this goose was considered to be 

 the young of the snow goose, and only recently 

 has been accorded specific rank. 



Where these geese breed has never been dis- 

 covered, but they are said by the Eskimos to nest 

 in the interior of Labrador. It is fortunate for 

 the race that such an inaccessible site has been 

 chosen, for it is less likely to share the fate of 

 the emjaeror goose. 



While this method of keeping geese makes a 

 splendid display, it is not conducive to success 

 in breeding, which, after all. is the most inter- 

 esting feature of keeping wild birds in captivity. 

 In the rearing of wild fowl, seclusion is the 

 most important factor; without this, success can 

 rareh' be obtained. It is planned to build this 

 year a number of smaller paddocks in which a 

 pair of birds may nest in peace and it is hoped 

 that many rare species will be raised. So far, 

 the following have bred: — 



Canada goose, Egyptian goose, Magellan 

 upland goose, European widgeon and mallard 

 duck. 



The breeding of the upland goose is very in- 

 teresting, and as far as known is the first record 

 for this country. 



One point which forcibly impresses the visitor, 

 is the entire absence of the detailed care and 

 feeding which might be expected in so large a 

 gathering. Once a goose has been placed in a 



paddock, it must be satisfied with the staple fare 

 of grain which is provided for all the inmates, 

 and the excellent condition of every bird testi- 

 fies to the efficacy of this method. 



In the early years of the collection, the rarer 

 species were kept indoors during the winter, 

 but last year every bird was kept in the pad- 

 dock and not one was lost. If received in the 

 fall, newly imported specimens which ha^e been 

 kept away from water for protracted periods, 

 and whose plumage has become dry, cannot 

 safely be wintered out. Those that have be- 

 come accustomed to the place, endure the cold 

 splendidly and are much healthier and stronger 

 than birds kept indoors. It is quite surprising 

 how many tropical birds witlistand tlie rigors of 

 our northern climate. 



Since tile writer's visit to Mr. Havemeyer's 

 estate, im])ortations have added to the collection 

 two beautiful and uncommon species — the Ashj'- 

 Headed Upland Goose, {Chloephaga polioce- 

 phala), and the Ruddy-Headed, (C. riihidiceps). 

 In the wild state, the latter is confined entirely 

 to the Falkland Islands, while the gray-headed 

 is found in Patagonia, going up to Chili and Ar- 

 gentina to escape the hardships of the Antarctic 

 winters. 



Both of these rare species have been bred in 

 Europe, and all of Mr. Havemeyer's specimens 

 were reared in captivity. This fact is of great 

 advantage in the attempt to induce birds to 

 breed, and it is hoped that Mr. Havemeyer will 

 be able to establish more records for the first 

 breeding of wild geese in captivity. 



CANADA GEESE AND YOUNG HATCHED IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK, 

 photograph is interesting as showing the swimming' formation of the old birds — whe 

 the protection of their young. 



