264 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE SPUR-WINGED GOOSE. 

 (Anser Gambensis, Flem. L'Oie armee^ Buff.) 



THE bill is reddish yellow, with a jointed pro- 

 tuberance on the base of the upper mandible. The 

 upper part of the head and neck are dingy brown ; 

 the auriculars and sides of the throat are white, 

 spotted with brown; the lower part of the neck, 

 sides of the breast, and all the upper plumage 

 appear black, but this colour is lost, particularly 

 in the scapulars and tertials, which are most 

 resplendently bronzed and glossed with brilliant 

 green, and most of the outer webs of the other 

 feathers partake of the same hue; on the bend of 

 the wing or wrist is placed a strong white horny 

 spur turning upwards, about five-eighths of an inch 

 in length, and pointing rather inwards; the whole 



