THE WILD GOOSE THE TAME GOOSE, 129 



In a thick, hazel copse he was warbling apart 

 Such notes as have never been equall'd by art. 



twenty-four ounces ; several varieties ; flesh esteemed excellent °, 

 as well known as the teal, in the marshy regions of England. 



The Querquedula, Garganey, or Summer Teal, is a beautiful 

 bird, a little larger than the common teal, being seventeen 

 inches long ; found in this country in the winter ; rarely seen 

 after April, at which time it is taken, it is said, in the decoys of 

 Somersetshire ; found also throughout the north of Europe and 

 Asia, as well as the Caspiau sea, and some parts of the East 

 Indies. 



The Anser, or Goose, consists of two varieties: the Ftrus, 

 Grey Lag, Fen, or Wild Goose, is two feet nine inches long; 

 *he bill is large and elevated, of a flesh colour, tinged with yel- 

 low; head and neck ash-colour; breast and belly whitish, 

 clouded with grey or ash-colour; back grey ; legsflesh-colour„ 

 They reside in the fens the whole year, breed there, and hatch 

 about eight or nine young ; often taken and easily tamed. To- 

 wards winter they collect in great flocks. They are migratory 

 on the continent, and also in some parts of England. They 

 generally, when in flocks, fly in the form of a triangle. They 

 have not the superiority of the wild-duck, tasting frequently of 

 fisli ; the flesh is not, therefore, equal to the tame goose when 

 properly fed. 



The Mansuetus, or Tame Goose, is the preceding in a state of 

 domestication, from which it varies in colour, but often more or 

 less verging to grey; it is found frequently white, especially 

 the males. The goose in general breeds only once a year • 

 but if well-kept, will often produce two broods in a season. It 

 is said to be very long-lived ; some have attained the age of 

 100 years. The goose sits on her eggs from twenty-seven to 

 thirty days, and will cover from eleven to fifteen eggs. It 

 scarcely needs to be observed, that the feathers of geese make 

 excellent beds, for which they are plucked twice or more 



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