GREY LAG-GOOSE. t)9 



mentioned by any of the arctic expeditions, nor by 

 Audubon. * 



This goose has been judged to be the stock of 

 our domesticated breeds, though Mr. Yarrell hints 

 that the white-fronted species may be also impli- 

 cated. The ordinary stock has in general the 

 greatest resemblance to the former, and a curious 

 fact is stated by the author we have so frequently 

 had occasion to quote, that a grey-lag gander would 

 only mate with a tame goose, though females of 

 both the bean and white-fronted species had been 

 previously kept on the same waters. 



For two winters past we have been watching to 

 procure a fresh specimen of this goose, but have been 

 onsuccessful. The general colouring of the plumage 

 is described as somewhat similar to the last, with 

 which at a distance it may be easily confounded ; and 

 even when examined near, without a knowledge of 

 the differences, the species may not be at once de- 

 tected. The larger size will always attract attention, 

 the length reaching nearly three feet. The livid 

 greyish pink of the feet and legs serve at once to 

 mark it from the last ; while the flesh- coloured bill, 

 with the nails on both mandibles, being white or 

 pale-coloured, distinguishes it from all other allied 

 birds yet found^ as natives of Britain. 



THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, ANSER BRACHYRHYN- 

 CHUS, Baillon, 1833. Anser phaenicopus, Bartlet in 

 1839jT YarrelL This species was evidently over- 



* " Said to be found in Northern Asia, China, and Japan," 

 Yarrell. 



