NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



119 



COSCOROBA SWANS. 



This exceeding rarity made the arrival of nine superb 

 specimens on November 8, 1900, on the Wild-Fowl Pond, a 

 most interesting event. Seven of the birds, including a fine 

 gander, through the artifice of a trap, were induced to re- 

 main with us, and have taken up a peaceful abode on the 

 little lake, with others of their kind presented by Mr. A. B. 

 Frost. 



The African Spur-Winged Goose, (Plectropterus gamben- 

 sis), although of large size, is more properly a duck than a 

 goose. A long sharp spur arises from the bend of each 

 wing, which the birds use in fighting with each other for 

 their mates. 



The Wild Gray-Lag Goose, (Anser anser), is, perhaps, the 

 most interesting of all geese, as being the wild species from 

 which our domestic birds are descended. The white color 

 and large size are the chief differences between the domestic 

 and wild birds. 



The White-Fronted Goose, (Anser albifrons), is worthy of 

 special notice because it is the handsomest of the ten species 

 of North American geese. The breeding grounds are far 

 to the north, and in Alaska the nests are mere hollows in 

 the sand, lined with moss and down. 



The Bar-Headed Goose, (Eulabia indica), inhabits the 



