86 CANADA GOOSE. 



easily reared and speedily fattened, and brings a 

 higher price in the market.* The species is of large 

 size, measuring in length above forty inches. The 

 head, neck, and upper breast are black ; the chin 

 and throat marked with a white patch which passes 

 upon each side in a point behind the auriculars. The 

 upper parts are blackish brown ; the feathers edged 

 with a paler colour ; quills, tail, and rump black ; 

 upper tail-covers white ; fore part of the breast and 

 under tail-covers also white ; the sides of the breast 

 of a pale brown, the feathers having paler edges ; 

 bill, legs, and feet are black. Mr. Yarrell states, 

 that the organ of voice is similar in structure to that 

 of the mute swan. 



These are all the British species which enter into 

 the typical genus or the true geese, and whose 

 stronghold perhaps is Europe and North America. 

 The other forms which have been placed in the sub- 

 family being all found in other and warmer coun- 

 tries, and consequently (we may almost say) they 

 are all aberrant, and are either wanting altogether to 

 the British list, or appear as rare examples of insu- 

 lated genera. "VVe may perhaps exempt the swans 

 from these, which also belong in part to temperate or 

 northern countries, though their distribution is more 

 extended than the geese. 



There are only other two forms which occur in 



our islands. The one, Chenalopex, Mr. Swainson 



thinks, may find a place as a sub-genus in Dendro- 



cygna, or among the Tree Ducks, which are marked 



* Aud., vol. iii. 



