AQUATIC FOWL. 149 



THE WHITE CHINESE, OB SWAN GOOSE, 



Is a beautiful variety, next in size to the above, and approaches 

 nearest to the swan of any other goose. It is snow-white, knobbed 

 on the beak, with orange legs, and truly ornamental on a sheet of 

 water. They are just as hardy and prolific as the last variety, 

 and their white plumage is well calculated to furnish up the 

 downy couch. 



THE BLACK-LEGGED CHINESE GOOSE, 



Is somewhat smaller than the preceding, the markings similar to 

 those of the Hong Kong, the knob rather larger, in proportion to 

 the size of the bird, its standing is more erect, and its legs and 

 feet black, from which it takes its name. It makes a fine appear- 

 ance on the water ; but for use, or crossing, I should much prefer 

 the large variety. 



THE PIGMY CHINESE GOOSE, 



Has all the character and appearance of the black-legged goose, 

 but is, perhaps, one of the smallest geese introduced, in a living 

 state, into this country. They are very rarely brought in ; are 

 about the size of the Rouen duck, but stand upright, and are a 

 complete miniature of the black-legged goose, with the same horny 

 protuberance between the beak and scull. I have had the skin of 

 a goose from New South Wales, not so large as our teal, but have 

 never heard of their being brought into Britain, in a living state. 

 They would be a beautiful addition to our collection of water- fowl. 



THE SPUR-WINGED GOOSE 



Is a very rare visitor of Great Britain. It has an extraordinary, 

 sharp, horny spur attached to the upper joint of the wing. It is 

 a native of Africa, and much resembles a dark-coloured musk 

 drake, with the red, fleshy knob about the head, but stands much 

 higher on the legs. It has a fleshy protuberance between the base 

 of the bill and the forehead, increasing in size according to age. 

 A fine specimen has been for years in the Zoological Gardens, 

 Phoenix Park, Dublin. 



