74 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
rarest species of Goose known, and it is much to be desired that 
other importations should be received in order to prevent the 
loss of the breed. 
Mr. F. E. Blaauw, of Gooilust, ’Sgraveland, Hilversum, 
Holland, writes as follows :-— 
“In former years I have repeatedly bred young birds from a male of 
the Blue Snow Goose (Chen Cerulescens) and « white female of (Chen 
Hyperboreus), when the results of the union have invariably been Blue 
Snow Geese, and not specimens intermediate in plumage between the two 
forms. This year a pair of these Blue Snow Geese (the result of a mixed 
union) has bred, and the result has been a brood of four young, all 
recognisable at once as true Blue Snow Geese. 
“‘The young of the blue form are quite different from the white, 
being of a dark olive-green, darkest on the back and on the head, which is 
almost black, throat white. The first plumage is slaty-grey throughout, 
being darkest on the head, which becomes white in the adult stage. The 
largest wing-coverts have slightly lighter edgings. The first moult of this 
bird generally takes place in the end of October, and with it the white 
feathers of the head appear. At the same period the bill and legs gradually 
beyin to become pink, instead of being dark as they were up to that time.” 
The Comte de Montlezun, in writing about these geese, 
describes the adults as extremely wild. One or two couple 
usually arrive in London yearly, and are retailed by the great 
importers at from £6 to £8 a pair. 
Male.—Head and upper neck white, with reddish tint ; 
upper body greyish-brown ; rump and wings pearl-grey or ashy- 
blue ; wing feathers black and grey; tail ash colour, bordered 
with white ; bill and feet reddish. 
Female.—The same. 
Young.—lIn first feather, very similar to adult, but with 
less white ; bill and feet reddish. 
