THE CANADIAN GOOSE. 



AySER CAyADESSIS. TIay. 



In the genus Anser the neck is not so much elongated 

 as in the typical Swans, but considerably more so than 

 in the other species of the family ; the head is entirely 

 covered with feathers ; the bill is as short or shorter 

 than the head, deeper than broad at its base, and nar- 

 rowed towards its extremity ; the nostrils, placed about 

 the middle of the bill, are large, elliptical, and longitu- 

 dinal ; the wings are long, with the first and second 

 quill-feathers longest ; the legs are of greater compa- 

 rative length than in the Ducks, and placed so far 

 forwards as to be beneath the centre of gravity ; and 

 the hinder toe is never furnished with a membranous 

 frino;e. The birds of which this group is composed are 

 popularly known by the name of Geese, and are usually 



