KED-BKEASTED GOOSE 67 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH 28 in. 



WING 17 



BEAK ... 2*1 ,, 



TARSO-METATAKSUS ... ... 3 ,, 



EGG ... 3-4 x 2'2 in. 



Allied Species and Representative Forms. C. coerulescens 

 is a variety of Snow-Goose which exhibits dull bluish-grey 

 shading over parts of the plumage. C. rossi is a very small 

 form and C. nivalis is a large form of Snow-Goose. 



RED-BREASTED GOOSE. Bernicla ruficollis (Pallas). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, pi. 6; 

 Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 416; Lilford, 

 'Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 25; Alpheraky, 'Geese 

 of Europe and Asia,' pi. 15. 



This, the least in size of the British Geese, is only a 

 rare visitor to our shores, but, if once seen, it should attract 

 attention by its richly coloured plumage. 



Mr. Saunders gives seven instances of its occurrence in 

 England, and three birds have been preserved. The data of 

 captures are as follows : One was obtained near London 

 in the winter of 1776 ; it is preserved in the Museum of 

 Newcastle-on-Tyne. 



Another was killed near Berwick-on-Tweed, in 1818, 

 and is preserved in the British Museum. The third speci- 

 men is in the possession of Mr. Marshall of Norton Manor, 

 Taunton, having been sent from Maldon, in Essex, on 

 January 6th, 1871. The remaining records are : Two from 

 Devon, one from Norfolk, one from Yorkshire. 



It is very doubtful if the Eed-breasted Goose has ever 

 occurred in Ireland. Mr. Ussher excludes it from the Irish 

 fauna in the ' Birds of Ireland,' so did the late Mr. A. G. 

 More, in the last edition of his 'List of Irish Birds,' 

 published in 1890. 



Like^ most other species of Geese, the Ked-breasted is 

 gregarious and easily tamed. 



