FOREIGN DUCKS AND GEESE. 105 



the preconceived notion of its being a genuine 

 visitor are too often studiously concealed or 

 slurred over. The probable and frequently un- 

 mistakeable signs of semi -domestication, afforded 

 by the state of the plumage, are not observed, 

 or if observed are not alluded to ; and in this way 

 it cannot be doubted that many foreign birds may 

 ultimately creep into the British fauna, unless a 

 watchful but pardonable jealousy be exercised by 

 the naturalist. 



It is well known that on several lakes, ponds, 

 &c., great numbers of Oriental and other water- 

 fowl, which have been imported from abroad, 

 now exist. Most of these have been pinioned 

 and are unable to fly. Others, on whom the 

 operation has been inefficiently performed, occa- 

 sionally make their escape. But as many of 

 these detenus breed freely on the islands, and 

 among the sedgy banks of these ponds, there is 

 nothing to restrain the second generation from 

 leaving the spot, and migrating to some other part 

 of Great Britain; where, if captured or killed, 

 the poor foundling is announced as a visitor of 

 distinction, to be henceforth included in our 

 catalogues. The following advertisement, copied 

 verbatim from * The Times/ refers to a well 

 known establishment in London, where hundreds 

 of foreign, as well as really British geese and 



F 5 



