CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE CANADA GOOSE (ANSER CANADENSIS). 

 Commonly known as "The Wild Goose." 



Adult male : Bill shorter than the head, rather 

 higher than broad at the base, somewhat conical, 

 depressed towards the end, rounded at the tip. 



Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck long 

 and slender. Body full, slightly depressed. Feet 

 short, stout, placed behind the centre of the body ; 

 legs bare a little above the tibio-tarsal joint ; 

 tarsus short, a little compressed, covered all round 

 with angular, reticulated scales, which are smaller 

 behind; hind toe very small, with a narrow mem- 

 brane. Wings of moderate length, with an obtuse 

 protuberance at the flexure. 



Plumage close, rather short, compact above, 

 blended on the neck and lower parts of the 

 body. The feathers of the head and neck very 

 narrow ; of the back very broad and abrupt ; 

 of the breast and belly broadly rounded. Wings 

 when closed extending to about an inch from 



