ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 107 
In Mr. Silvester Diggle’s work on the “Ornithology of 
Australia,” the Maned Goose is reported to be very largely distri- 
buted over the Australian Continent, associating in companies 
of from eight to forty, generally being found feeding among the 
grass in the neighbourhood of lagoons, perching commonly on 
trees, as do also other species of Australian ducks and geese. It 
is known among the colonists by the name of the “ Wood Duck” 
and “ Hawkesbury Duck,” being very plentiful on that river, and 
breeding in hollow trees. The flesh is excellent, and the bird 
betrays its presence by a loud barking note which Gould states 
to be unlike that of any other species. The Zoological Society 
received it for the first time in 1864, but it has not, I believe, 
yet bred here, although this has been successfully accomplished 
by several Belgian and French amateurs, among them being 
Mr. Blaauw, M. Roffay, of Angers, M. E. Courtois, of Paris, M. 
de Montlézun, and others, who have by the exercise of talent and 
perseverance, succeeded in breeding not only this species, but a 
large number of other exotic waterfowl. The Maned Bernicle, 
according to the experience of several amateurs communicated 
to the “Bulletin de la Sociéte Impériale d’ Acclimation,” is 
prolific in captivity, M. Courtois obtaining in one year thirty-five 
eggs from a pair, which he describes as white tinted with yellow, 
the female sitting in the month of May, and invariably covering 
the eggs on leaving the nest. M. Courtois in breeding these 
birds found them to thrive upon wheat, barley, and buckwheat, 
and expresses his opinion that animal food is indispensable 
during the laying season, at which time the buckwheat and 
barley were discontinued, and worms were plentifully supplied. 
This amateur is strongly in favour of allowing the birds liberty 
in running water where practicable. The Maned Bernicle is 
very seldom for sale in England, but Continental bred speci- 
mens may occasionally be obtained at from £4 to £6 the 
couple. 
