134 POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 
Aviary has been taken for it, and the Ducks will hereafter 
be found on the Wild-Fowl] Pond and in the Flying Cage. 
The Geese——The collection of wild geese, in the Goose 
Aviary, is unusually large, there being generally about 
twenty out of the thirty-five known species. Among these 
one of the best known is the Common Wild, or Canada 
Goose, (Branta canadensis). Once common throughout 
many parts of the United States, continual persecution by 
sportsmen and market hunters has so generally reduced its 
numbers that now it is of comparatively rare occurrence. 
This exceeding rarity made the arrival of nine superb wild 
specimens on November 8, 1900, on the Wild-Fowl Pond, a 
most interesting event. Seven of the birds, including a fine 
gander, through the artifice of a trap, were induced to re- 
main with us, and have taken up a peaceful abode on the 
little lake, with others of their kind presented by Mr. A. B. 
Frost. 
The African Spur-Winged Goose, (Plectropterus gamben- 
sis), although of large size, is more properly a duck than a 
goose. A long sharp spur arises from the bend of each 
wing, which the birds use in fighting with each other for 
their mates. 
The Gray-Lag Goose, (Anser anser), is, perhaps, the 
most interesting of all geese, as being the wild species from 
which our domestic birds are descended. The white color 
and large size are the chief differences between the domestic 
and wild birds. 
The White-Fronted Goose, (Anser albifrons), is worthy of 
special notice because it is the handsomest of the ten species 
of North American geese. The breeding grounds are far 
to the north, and in Alaska the nests are mere hollows in 
the sand, lined with moss and down. 
The Bar-Headed Goose, (Eu/abia indica), inhabits the 
mountains of Central Asia, nesting always over a mile above 
the sea. It is perhaps the handsomest of all geese. 
The Swans.—Usually at least six out of the seven known 
species of swans may be seen on exhibition here. 
The Mute Swan, (Cygnus olor), is the commonest swan in 
captivity, and is the one made famous in European history 
and legend. It may always be known from the other spe- 
cies by the black knob at the base of the bill. It breeds 
freely in captivity and the young birds are known as 
cygnets. 
