178 
Genus 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 lamellm, 
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 canadensis, Linn. 
PLATE CCCLXXVI — Male axd 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 
