2i8 The IVafer-fowl Family 



buff, barred with dusky; some of the scapulars, 

 chestnut ; the wings, black, with a green speculu- 

 lum ; the wing-coverts, white ; the lower back and 

 tail, black ; the lower tail-coverts, buff ; a broad 

 chocolate-colored patch in the centre of the breast ; 

 and the bill and legs, pinkish, — all together a 

 very richly marked bird. Its home is in north- 

 ern Africa, but it occasionally wanders into 

 Europe, and two specimens have been taken in 

 this country, one on Long Island, the other in 

 Maryland. As this species has never been found 

 on the Atlantic islands, and is often kept in 

 aviaries, it is probable that these birds escaped 

 from captivity ; but the above description will be 

 of assistance to any one who should chance to 

 shoot another. 



Another interesting African goose has a spur 

 on the bend of the wing ; and a third, in addition, 

 a high knob on the forehead. One goose inhabits 

 the high Andes of western South America, com- 

 ing down to the plains only in winter ; and there 

 exists in the tropics of the Old World a group of 

 small geese, not larger than a teal, which differ 

 also from other geese in spending most of their 

 time in the water. 



But the strangest of all strange geese live in 

 Australia and New Zealand. The Australian bird 

 is large, with a glossy, greenish black plumage, 

 relieved by pure white shoulders, rump, and lower 



