BEAN GOOSE. 



63 



tail-coverts, pure "svliite ; legs, toes, and membranes, orange ; 

 the claws black. 



The whole length of an adult male thirty-four inches. 

 From the carpal joint to the end of the wing nearly nineteen 

 inches ; the second quill-fcather the longest in the Aving ; the 

 wings when closed reaching considerably beyond the end of 

 the tail ; point of the wing with a prominent callous knob 

 hidden by the plumage. 



Young birds of the year darker in the general colour of 

 their plumage, and the markings less distinct, but with a 

 tinge of orange colour about the neck. 



Wild geese, when on the wing together for any distance, 

 are frequently observed to assume some particular figure. If 

 there are only three or four birds, they mostly fly in a 

 straight line one after the other ; when more numerous they 

 assume a wedge-shaped form like the letter <^ placed hori- 

 zontally, the angle in advance. The interval between the 

 side lines sometimes occupied. Practice seems to have taught 

 them that angular forms diminish atmospheric resistance. 



