70 Heer F. E. Blaauw on the 



the second summer, and the male does not get its white 

 breast at once, but the colour increases gradually as the 

 bird gets older. 



A pair of the Black-banded Goose (ChJoi-phaga dispaf) at 

 Gooilust laid six eggs, which were all hatched. In the chicks 

 of this species the differences in colour correspond with those 

 of C. mageUanica, but are intensified. Some of the chicks are 

 most brilliantly marked with black and white, whilst others 

 are almost entirely black. These striking colours, however, 

 soon fade, so that after the chicks are a week old much of 

 their brilliancy is gone. 



The Ashy-headed Goose [Chloephaga poliocepkala) is cer- 

 tainly the finest, but also the most delicate, of all the Geese that 

 I have had in my garden. The best way to ensure success with 

 this species is to give a constant supply of cabbage, besides 

 grass and grain. With care I have managed to keep it since 

 1890, having only once had to procure a fresh importation 

 of two males. At the present time I am the happy owner of 

 an old pair, three young pairs, and an odd male. 



The female of my breeding pair laid five eggs last spring, 

 from which four chicks were hatched. One of these died, 

 but the remaining three have been doing well aud are now 

 in their first moult. 



The chicks in down are uniform in colour, unlike those 

 of the foregoing species. They have dark grey markings 

 ou the back of the head and neck on a whitish-grey 

 ground. Their first plumage resembles that of the adults, 

 but is much less brilliant. The breast is brownish and 

 striped all over with blackish lines. The white of the belly is 

 also less in extent. They begin their first moult in October, 

 but seldom finish it until the following spring. 



During cold nights, especially if there is snow on the 

 ground, I have these birds driven into a shelter, and the 

 birds of the year appreciate this arrangement very much. 



The Ruddy-headed Goose (CUluephaga rubidiceps) is the 

 smallest of the South- American group, but thrives well under 

 domestication. 1 obtained my first male of this species (an 

 imported bird) in 1886, and at the same time I procured a 



