178 



Gexus II.— ANSER, Briss. GOOSE. 



Bill shorter than the head, rather higher than broad at the base, somewhat 

 conical, depressed toward the end, rounded at the tip; upper mandible with 

 the dorsal line sloping, the ridge broad and flattened, the sides sloping, the 

 edges soft and obtuse, internally with numerous oblique marginal lamellae, 

 the unguis obovate, convex; nasal groove oblong, filled by the soft membrane 

 of the bill; nostrils medial, lateral, longitudinal, narrow-elliptical, open, per- 

 vious, lower mandible straight, with the angle very long, narrow, and round- 

 ed, the edges soft and obtuse, with numerous oblique lamellae, the tip broadly 

 convex. Head small, oblong, compressed; neck long and slender; body 

 very full, slightly depressed. Feet short, stout; tibia bare for a short space 

 below; tarsus short, a little compressed, covered all round with angular 

 scales; hind toe very small and elevated, third toe longest, fourth longer 

 than second; all reticulated at the base, scutellate toward the end, the 

 anterior webbed. Claws small, arched, rather compressed. Plumage close, 

 compact above, blended beneath. Wings long, convex, the second quill 

 longest, the first and third nearly equal. Tail very short, of sixteen or more 

 feathers. 



THE CANADA GOOSE. 



-Anser caxade>-sis, Linn. 



PLATE CCCLXXVI.— Male and Female. 



Although the Canada Goose is considered as a northern species, the num- 

 ber of individuals that remain at all seasons in the milder latitudes, and in 

 different portions of the United States, fully entitles this bird to be looked 

 upon as a permanent resident there. It is found to breed sparingly at the 



