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CAPE BARRON GOOSE.— Ct'reojjsis A'oira Bullandite. 



We now arrive at the true Geese, our first representative iDeing the Cape Eakeon 

 Goose or Ceeeopsis, so called from the cere which covers a large portion of tlie beak. 

 This fine bird is a native of New Holland, and is found, as its name implies, at Cape 

 Barron Island in Bass's Straits. It is of large size, fattens easily, its flesh is good, and it 

 breeds without difficulty when in confinement, so that it possesses many of the quali- 

 fications lor domestication. It has, however, one drawback, for it is very quarrelsome, 

 and its powerful beak and large dimensions make it a dreaded foe in the poultry-yard. 

 It feeds on grass like the common Goose, and requires but little care on the part of the 

 owner, and if it could only be induced to lay aside its quarrelsome habits would be quite 

 an acquisition to our limited list of domestic jjoultry. 



For some time after its first discovery it was so fearless of man that it would suffer 

 itself to be approached and knocked down with sticks, but it has now learned caution 

 through bitter experience, and at the sight of a human being seeks safety in fiight. 

 Although one of the true Geese it cares little for the water, and in this respect, as well as 

 in others, resembles the wading Ijirds. In England it has bred freely, the specimens in 

 the Zoological Gardens having yearly increased in number. The eggs of the Cereopsis 

 are cream-coloured, and the voice of the bird is loud, hoarse, and has a decided trumpet- 

 like tone that can be heard at a considerable distance. 



The general colour of tins bird is brownish grey, mottled on the back with a lighter 

 hue, and spotted with black on the wing-coverts and scapularies. On the head the grey 

 fades nearly into wliite. The bill is short, sharp, and hai'd, and can be used with great 

 force as an offensive weapon. Its colour is lilack, and it is covered with a veiy large 

 greenish yellow cere. The legs are pinkish and the eyes bright red. 



To the fir.st of the two birds on page 272 we are indebted for the Domestic Goose, 

 with its few and unimportant varieties. 



The Geey-Lag Goose is found in many parts of the world, and in a wild state makes 

 occasional visits to this countiy, and it is probable that the Domestic Geese may derive 

 some of their blood from the other species of the same genus. The white colour of the 

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