444 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



may be thought by some that this difference of length may be the 

 result of age ; but this cannot be maintained, as its bill is small 

 and weak, suited to its aquatic habits — very unlike the short bill 

 of the Bean- Goose, suited to its granivorous and herbivorous 

 feeding." 



Here then we get the crux of the whole matter. A Goose of 

 aquatic habits would need a long swan-like neck and large swan- 

 like feet, the two characters which are so striking in my bird ! 

 In the illustration which accompanies this paper, I publish for 

 the first time the head and neck of Anser paludosus, side by side 

 with that of a typical A. segetum. For their portraits to be taken 

 the birds were placed opposite each other on exactly the same 

 level, so that a glance will show the extraordinary disproportion 

 in the length of neck in each bird ; at the same time the differ- 

 ence in shape and the remarkable colouration of bill in paludosus 

 are apparent. I feel sure that no one who may critically examine 

 these figures will fail to be convinced that the birds are of totally 

 distinct species. A question which may have to be discussed in 

 the future will be, whether the bird should not be placed nearer 

 to Anser cygnoides than A. segetum. It is almost incredible that 

 a bird so handsome and striking in appearance as this is should 

 have so completely escaped observation, not only here, but on 

 the Continent as well. I can only ascribe this to the extreme 

 rarity of the species, for it is certain that if Count Salvadori had 

 ever seen the bird he would not have passed it over. 



As no complete description of this species has ever been pub- 

 lished, so far as I can discover, I here append one : — 



As before stated, the bird is of very large size, equalling a 

 fine Grey-lag. The general tone of colouration of plumage re- 

 sembles that of the Bean-Goose, but is much bolder and decisive- 

 looking. The head is blackish umber from sides of bill, fading into 

 a dark drabish umber for rest of head and upper neck ; at base of 

 bill the faintest possible trace of white, curiously exaggerated by the 

 camera in figure (p. 445) ; the middle and lower neck has a distinct 

 rusty broivn tinge. Mantle deep dusky brown, broadly margined 

 with pale drab and light broivn. Back and rump dark slaty brown. 

 Upper tail-coverts white, the middle ones clouded with drab. Tail 

 of eighteen feathers, long and broad, of a rich seal-brown, each dis- 

 tinctly fringed and very broadly terminated with white. Breast 



