ON A LOST BRITISH WILD GOOSE. 445 



and flanks drab, margined with paler, the flanks gradually becoming 

 a rich seal-brown, broadly margined with white. The middle of the 

 under parts are very pale whitish drab, gradually becoming white on 

 abdomen and under tail- coverts. On the middle of the breast there 

 is a black feather, with several others showing the dark pigment 

 being thrown into them, while at the roots of most of the feathers 

 on the sternum a dark colouring matter is making its appearance. 

 This is very important indeed, as it indicates that during the 



Anser paludosus, Strickl. Front view of bill. 



breeding season the under parts may become black, a character quite 

 unknown in the Bean-Goose. The upper wing-coverts are a dark 

 bluish slate, gradually becoming rich hair-brown, broadly margined 

 with dull white on the medians and first coverts. Primaries dark 

 seal-brown, the rib white. Secondaries almost black, margined and 

 fringed with dull white. Tertiaries rich seal-broivn, very broadly 

 margined with dull white ; giving a very conspicuous appearance 

 to the upper parts of the bird. Alulce rather pale bluish slate. 

 Axillars and under wing-coverts dark slate. At the bend of the 



