94 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
their breeding quarters in the lower valleys of the Off and the Venesay or 
from their winter quarters on the Caspian Sea. 
‘*My own specimen was caught on January 26th, 1906, in this 
country, and was in immature plumage. At the present moment it is in 
full adult plumage, and a most beautiful creature. 
‘* Red-breasted Geese do well in captivity, and if a true pair could 
be had together there seems to be no reason why they should not breed. 
The plumage of the female is similar to that of the male, but the female is 
slightly smaller. In the immature bird the black is replaced by brown, and 
the rich chestnut colour by chestnut buff, while the white markings and black 
edgings are either absent or not clearly defined.” 
If any amateur succeeds in breeding Branta ruficollis it 
will probably be this enthusiastic amateur, who has had the 
good fortune to rear most of the rare Bernicles, keeping each 
pair in a separate little run of its own, furnished with shrubs 
and a pond. 
Male.—Beak small, almost black ; irides hazel ; between 
beak and eye a white patch; top of head and down back 
of neck dark brownish black, edged with white ; upper surface 
of body and the long wings very dark brown, almost black ; 
wing-coverts edged with greyish-white; throat dark brown ; 
neck, ears, and upper part of the breast rich chesnut red, 
edged with and ending in a collar of white; lower part of the 
breast black; legs dark brown, almost black. Weight about 
three pounds. 
Female.—Duller in colouring but otherwise very similar 
to male ; black collar on throat carried up to the chin and not 
so low on the breast; tip of tail white; the ear patch hardly 
indicated. 
Young.— Male in first plumage similar to adult male, 
but duller. 
Egg.—Greenish-white; small and smoother than that 
of the Brent Goose ; six to ten in number; “ creamy-white with 
obscure traces of an underlying green shell; the surface rather 
smooth but not glossy, very fragile” (Seebohm). June—July. 
