784 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



common Goose. Blyth considers the common domestic Goose of 

 India to be a hybrid between this and A. cinereus. A. canadensis, L., 

 a large Goose with a long black neck, was also considered to 

 belong to the Swans by Cuvier. It is now classed among the 

 Bernacle Geese. A handsome group of Geese, typified by A. picta, 

 Pallas, and A. magellanica, Gmel., is found in the icy regions, both 

 Arctic and Antarctic, and has been named Chloephaga by Eyton ; 

 A. jubata, Lath., from Australia, has been separated as Chlamy- 

 doclien. The former of these, however, have tracheal labyrinths, 

 and, if they do not belong to the Tadornince, unite those birds 

 to the Geese. 



The sub-family Cereopnnce. comprises only one genus and one 

 species, Cereopsis Novce Hollandia, which has a small bill extend- 

 ing back on the forehead, long legs bare above the joint, and 

 a tracheal labyrinth. It seldom enters water. This curious 

 Goose appears to have some affinities with both the Rasores and 

 Grallatores. 



Sub-fam. PlectropteriNjE, Spurred Geese. 



Wings generally with one or more spurs on the shoulder. Bill, 

 in most, furnished with a boss or protuberance at the base. 

 Legs in general long. Plumage glossed black and white. Sexes 

 alike, or nearly so. 



The Spur-winged Geese form a small group typified by Anas 

 gambensis, L., of Africa, of which the Muscovy Duck, A. 

 moschata, is an aberrant form, having unusuallv short les;s. The 

 male is said to guard the nest during incubation. There is only 

 one species in India. 



Gen. Sarkidiornis, Eyton. 



Syn. Plectropterus, Leach (partly). 



Char. — Bill lengthened, of nearly equal width throughout ; that 

 of the males usually furnished with a naked, compressed, fleshy 

 protuberance on the culmen ; wings with one or more tubercles or 

 blunt spurs at the shoulder; 1st and 2nd primaries sub-equal 

 and longest ; legs lengthened ; feet large ; tarsus with sub-quadrate 

 scales. Of large size. Plumage glossy black above. Sexes nearly 

 alike in colour, but the males much larger than the females. 



