678 ZOOLOGICAL 
The Blue Goose, (Chen caerulescens), is an- 
other great rarity. In color it resembles the 
emperor, but the blue body is not barred, the 
white is more extended and the beak shows the 
heavy mandibular groove of the genus Chen. 
For many years this goose was considered to be 
the young of the snow goose, and only recently 
has been accorded specific rank. 
Where these geese breed has never been dis- 
covered, but they are said by the Eskimos to nest 
in the interior of Labrador. It is fortunate for 
the race that such an inaccessible site has been 
chosen, for it is less likely to share the fate of 
the emperor goose. 
While this method of keeping geese makes a 
splendid display, it is not conducive to success 
in breeding, which, after all, is the most inter- 
esting feature of keeping wild birds in captivity. 
In the rearing of wild fowl, seclusion is the 
most important factor; without this, success can 
rarely be obtained. It is planned to build this 
year a number of smaller paddocks in which a 
pair of birds may nest in peace and it is hoped 
that many rare species will be raised. So far, 
the following have bred:— 
Canada Egyptian Magellan 
upland goose, European widgeon and mallard 
duck. 
The breeding of the upland goose is very in- 
teresting, and as far as known is the first record 
for this country. 
One point which forcibly impresses the visitor, 
is the entire absence of the detailed care and 
feeding which might be expected in so large a 
Once a goose has been placed in a 
goose, goose, 
gathering. 
SOCIETY BULLETIN. 
paddock, it must be satisfied with the staple fare 
of grain which is provided for all the inmates, 
and the excellent condition of every bird testi- 
fies to the efficacy of this method. 
In the early years of the collection, the rarer 
species were kept indoors during the winter, 
but last year every bird was kept in the pad- 
dock and not one was lost. If received in the 
fall, newly imported specimens which have been 
kept away from water for protracted periods, 
and whose plumage has become dry, cannot 
safely be wintered out. Those that have be- 
come accustomed to the place, endure the cold 
splendidly and are much healthier and stronger 
than birds kept indoors. It is quite surprising 
how many tropical birds withstand the rigors of 
our northern climate. 
* * * x * * * * 
Since the writer’s visit to Mr. Havemeyer’s 
estate, importations have added to the collection 
two beautiful and uncommon species—the Ashy- 
Headed Upland Goose, (Chloephaga polioce- 
phala), and the Ruddy-Headed, (C. rubidiceps). 
In the wild state, the latter is confined entirely 
to the Falkland Islands, while the gray-headed 
is found in Patagonia, going up to Chili and Ar- 
gentina to escape the hardships of the Antarctic 
winters. 
Both of these rare species have been bred in 
Europe, and all of Mr. Havemeyer’s specimens 
were reared in captivity. This fact is of great 
advantage in the attempt to induce birds to 
breed, and it is hoped that Mr. Havemeyer will 
be able to establish more records for the first 
breeding of wild geese in captivity. 
CANADA GEESE AND YOUNG HATCHED IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 
This photograph is interesting as showing the swimming formation of the old birds—when alarmed—for 
the protection of their young. 
