96 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL, 
every night after winter has set in. One good result of this arrangement is 
that the birds usually build a nest in the hay which covers the floor, and this 
makes it possible to protect them and their eggs from the cold weather that 
often prevails at the early season when they are accustomed to lay. Last 
February five eggs were laid. These were all hatched, and during the 
whole time of incubation the male was constantly on the watch beside the 
female, running with great fury at everyone who came near. 
‘‘The goslings are of a dark olive-green, darker on the head and 
back, and whitish on the under parts. The tips of the wings are nearly 
white, the bill and legs black. These birds grow very quickly, so that at 
the age of about nine weeks the wings have to be cut to prevent them from 
flying away. The immature plumage is very much like that of the adults, 
but the general tone is more grey than yellow, and all the black or brown 
markings are less clearly defined. The curious spiral ridges in the neck- 
feathering are already visible in the young bird. The yellow of the neck is 
greyish black, and is darker in the young males, so far as my experience 
goes.” 
“ At the end of July the young birds began to moult, and in about 
six weeks had acquired the adult plumage, the flight-feathers being retained 
as in other young waterfowl until the following year. Of this particular 
brood of five, I had the misfortune to_loose three when they were only half- 
grown. A very cold night seems to have been the cause of their death.” 
Male.—Top of head, chin, back of neck, and sides of 
face black; sides and front of throat creamy-brown, lightly 
spotted with a darker shade; a black ring encircles the neck ; 
remainder of plumage brown, each feather bordered with a 
broad white line; breast and under parts mottled; abdomen 
white ; eye full and dark; bill and legs black, with a shade of 
orange. 
Female.—The same. 
Young.—In first feather, and even in down, easily 
identified from its likeness to the adult bird. 
Egg.—White ; large ; five to eight in number. April — 
May. Incubation, one month. 
