202 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



intermediate in size between the typical Swans and the 

 Common Duck. They are all migratoiy in their habits, 

 harmless in their pursuits, easily capable of domesti- 

 cation, and valuable both for their flesh and for their 

 feathers. 



The Canadian Goose, which we have selected for 

 illustration as a well marked and interesting species of 

 the group, is somewhat larger than our common domes- 

 ticated breed. It is also slenderer in its make and 

 especially in its neck, which consequently approaches 

 more nearly to that of the Swans. The entire length 

 bf the bird is about three feet, and the expanse of its 

 wings rather more than five. The back and wing- 

 coverts are of a dull brown, with a whitish tip to each 

 of the feathers ; the quill-feathers of the wings and tail 

 black ; the sides pale ashy brown ; and the upper part 

 of the head and neck black, with a broad patch of 

 white spreading from the throat on either side over the 

 lower part of the cheeks. By this latter character, 

 which is extremely obvious, this species may at all 

 times be readily distinguished. Its bill is black ; its 

 iris dark hazel ; and its legs and feet grayish-black or 

 lead-coloured. There is little or no distinction in plu- 

 mage between the two sexes. 



As the habits of this handsome Goose have been 

 observed with more than usual care, and are essentially 

 the same with those of the other species, some little 

 detail on the present occasion may obviate the necessity 

 of recurring to the subject at any future time. Our 

 authorities in this instance will be principally Hearne 

 and Wilson ; the one from necessity, and the other 

 from choice, peculiarly attentive observers of the man- 

 ners of the feathered tribes. Placed in circumstances 

 that compelled him to rely for subsistence mainly and 

 for many years on the produce of the chase, the former 



