GEESE, AND THEIR VARIETIES. 



1191 



VI. The African Goose. 



This is one of the largest of any of the varieties of geese, and is re- 

 markable for its upright carriage, carrying the neck straight and the head 

 level in walking. It is rather a rare bird in the United States, and has 

 sometimes been called the Siberian Goose, but the name African goose is 

 undoubtedly the true one. The bill is hooked or armed with small inden- 



RMBDEN TOULOUSE CROSS, 



tations along the sides ; at the base of the bill on top is a bright vermil- 

 ion colored fleshy tubercle, and a hard, firm, fleshy membrane under the 

 throat. The head and upper part of the neck are brown, deeper on the 

 upper side and lighter on the underside. The cut will give a good idea 

 of the principal characteristics of this variety. 



VH. The Canada or Wild Goose. 



This goose is well known all over the United States and Canada, 

 breeding in the far North, spending the spring and autumn in the more 

 tempe-^ate regions, and going South, even to the Gulf of Mexico, in the 

 winter. It is the most sagacious of any of the goose tribe, and when 



