THE SPECIES OF BEAN-GEESE. 49 



Mr. Alpheraky has represented the bill of this goose as of a yellow 

 colour (pi. 23) and he states that the bill of this goose is always describ- 

 ed as being of a yellow-orange colour. I have failed to find anything 

 to support this ass3rtion, nor does Mr. Alpheraky himself quote a single 

 observer to confirm his statement. On the contrary, we find that 

 excellent naturalist Swinhoe, whom Mr. Alpheraky never quotes, 

 telling us that the pale part of the bill of A, serrirostris is of a pinkish- 

 red colour. 



8. Auser oatesi, Rickett (fig. 8). 

 The Small Chinese Bean-Goose. 



Mr. C. B. Rickett described this Goose in 1901 in the following 

 terms : — "Similar in size and plumage to ..4. brachyrhynchus, but with a 

 much larger bill and a white chin. The upper mandible, measured in a 

 straight line from the feathered edges of the forehead to the tip of the 

 nail is 2*3, and the depth of the bill at the forehead 1*3 inches, similar 

 measurements in Anser brachyrhynchus being 1"8 and l'O in., respec- 

 tively. Other measurements of A. oaiesi are : wing 16*4 inches, tarsus 

 2i> and mid-toe and claw 3*1 inches. 



" This description is taken from a single specimen shot near Focchow, 

 Fohkien Province, South China, in January. The bird was unfor- 

 tunately not sexed, and only the head and neck, one wing and a leg 

 have been preserved.'' 



Another specimen sent to the British Museum by Mr. Rickett is a 

 complete skin, and is a larger bird than the one (-escribed above. The 

 wing measures 17*2 inches in length and the bill 2'5 inches. 



1 do not think this Goose requires any further description. Mr. 

 Rickett informs me that he has a recollection that the pale part of the 

 bill was yellow in life. 



The bill of this species appears to be similar in many respects to that 

 of A. segetum, but is longer and higher at the base. The length of the 

 wing will, I am of opinion, suffice to separate the two species. Of 

 course, geographically, they are very widely divided and will not bo 

 found to encroach on each other's limits. 



No attempt is made by Mr. Alpheraky to deal with this species. 

 He devotes neither a remark nor a word of comment to it, and disposes 

 of it in his book as a synonym of A. neplectus, with two notes of inter- 

 rogation preceding the name. 



