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, (Eulabia 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. 



