176 EGYPTIAN GOOSE. 



As we have before said, it breeds readily in confinement. Its eggs are of a dull 

 white, tinged with buff; and measure two inches and three-quarters in length, by two 

 inches in breadth. 



Hybrids have been bred between it and the Penguin Drake — a variety of the Common 

 Duck; the eggs being productive. The hybrids paired together and produced eggs, which 

 were unproductive. It has also bred with the Knobbed or Swan Gander, and the Spur- 

 winged Gander. 



In the adult, the bill is pale brown, having the base, edges, and nail of a much 

 darker shade. Irides, yellow: around each eye is a patch of reddish brown. Cheeks, 

 chin, and sides of the neck, yellowish or reddish white. Upper part of the head, back 

 of neck, upper back, scapulars, and tertials, chesnut brown. Primaries, black; secondaries, 

 of a changing green, tipped with black. "Wing coverts, white; the lesser ones, tipped 

 with black. Lower back, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail, black. Front of the neck, 

 breast, and upper belly, pale reddish brown, Avith a patch of chesnut brown on the 

 breast; lower part of belly, vent, and under tail coverts, pale brown. The legs, feet, 

 and claws are pink. There is a blunt spur on the point of the carpal joint. 



The female is like the male, but has the tints rather less bright. 



The weight is about five pounds. 



In length it measures from two feet two, to two feet four inches. 



