CLXIV. 



ANSER BRACHYRHYNCHUS. (Baillon) 



Pink-footed Goose, 



This species, though resembling most closely the Bean 

 Goose, from which it is dissimilar chiefly in its smaller size, 

 the comparative shortness of its beak, and the colour of its 

 legs and feet, — differs from it, as Mr. Yarrell has shown, 

 still more in habit ; and when confined with the other spe- 

 cies — the Grey Lag, the Bean and 'White-fi'onted Geese, 

 which are all upon the most sociable footing with each 

 other, — keeping itself aloof from all of them. He describes 

 its voice also as different. The figures of the accompany- 

 ing eggs are fi'om his cabinet. He goes on to say : — 



" The Ornithological Society has a female, which, dur- 

 ing the summer of 1840, would not associate with any of 

 the various species kept with her in St. James's Park, yet 

 she laid eight eggs and began to sit." 



This season the Zoological Society have allowed a male 

 belonging to them to be transferred to St. James's Park ; 

 but although the pair were soon good friends, there is as 

 yet no produce. 



In the ' Magazine of Natural History ' Mr. Macgillivray 

 says " that the Pink-footed or Short-billed Goose breeds in 

 great numbers in the small islands of the Sound of Hams. 

 This bird was seen in flocks so late as the beginning of 

 May ; was observed in pairs among the islands of the 

 Sound about the middle of the month ; and had the young 

 strong upon the wing about the end of July." 



