80 INDIAN DKCKS. 



(14) ANSER NEGLECTUS. 

 SUSHKIN'S GOOSE. 



Anser neglectiis, Oates, Game-B. ii, p. 75 ; id. Jour. B. N. II. S. xvii, 

 p. 44 ; Stuart Baker, ibid. p. 537 ; Alpheralcy, ibid. p. 599 ; Bidttrliv, 

 ibid. p. 604 : Outes, ibid. p. 900. 



Melanonyx neglectus, AJjiheralu, Geese, p. 78. 



Description. — " The species is distinguished from A. brac7ii/rJi>/nc7ius by 

 greater size, larger and more robust bill, and by the fact that tlie secondary 

 coverts are black-brown, and thus of another colour to the main coverts. Prom 

 A. segetum it is distinguished by the dark ilesli-colour of the legs and median 

 part of the bill. 



" As concerns the colour-differences of the plumage of the new goose from 

 A. segetum, the colouring of the head and neck is darker than in the latter, and 

 the margins of the feathers of the upper side and of the dark feathei's of the 

 sides of the body are browner. In some specimens, just as in A. segetum, is 

 observable a slight admixture of white feathers at the very root of the upper 

 mandible." (SusJikin.) 



To this description Alpheraky adds : — " The bill of Pushkin's Goose is 

 comparatively weak and narrow ; from the bill of M. segetum it is distinguished 

 by its far less depth at the base, and in particular by the feebler lower 



mandible A still more marked difference is presented by the shape and 



comparative size of the nail on the upper mandible." The last sentence refers 

 to the difference as shown in my key. The differences between neglectus and 

 segetum are the same, emphasized, between neglectus and serrb^ostris. 



Total length about 30 inches, wiug 17"7 to 19, culmen 2-16 to 2-48, 

 tarsus 295 to 3-11. 



Bill : nail black, base of bill black as far as the exterior edge of the nostrils, 

 but with the edge uneven and receding slightly in the centre ; band of bill a 

 lovely carmine-pink; feet vivid, fleshy-red. (Notes by Mr. Mundy.) 



Bill with black nail and base and bright pink centre ; feet same as the light 

 portion of the bill. (Notes by Dr. Moore.) 



Young in first plumage. — " These differ from the adults first of all by the 

 narrower feathers of the body, as is generally the case with all young geese 

 compared with old. Tips of the feathers on neck light whitish-grey. Under- 

 parts light dingy grey, with tinge of ochi-eous and darker rounded grey centres 

 to feathers ; vent and tail-coverts (upper and lo\\er)' dingy-white, perhaps due 

 to dustiness of skin. Head and neck brown, \\ith strong coffee tint." 

 (^AlphenOcy.) 



The actual distribution of this goose lias not yet been definitely settled : 

 \i prohahhj occurs in Great Britain ; it certainly occurs in Hungary, Russia, 



