204



J. Delacour—Notes on South American Geese,



proved rather vicious to Sheld-ducks. The goslings are more delicate

than in most species, reminding one of Sheld-ducks in their require¬

ments. I bred three this year. I believe these Geese require a large

garden or park, with plenty of water, to be induced to nest. I found

them perfectly hardy and more aquatic than Chloephaga.


The Maned Goose ( Chenonetta juhata) is a lovely diminutive of

the above genera, very confiding and nice in its ways. Although they

resemble the above-mentioned Geese in their shape, these birds are

quite different in many ways : the female displays to the gander,

in moving her neck to one side and calling, like Sheld-ducks and

true Ducks do, and she nests in holes in trees. This species is quite

harmless but rather uncertain in its breeding dispositions. I never

bred any, although I have had two or three pairs for many years.

But they have several times bred in captivity and Mr. Ezra had two

broods this year.


We now come to birds with broader and flatter bills.


The Orinoco Goose ( Neochen juhata) is a pretty and quaint

bird from the hot parts of South America, where they live on the banks

of the large rivers. They are not very aquatic in their habits and

do not prove quite hardy, being susceptible to cold, damp nights.

Although I have kept some for many years in the park even in winter, it

is better to shut them up at night during the cold season. They have

often been bred, especially by Mr. Blaauw, but none ever laid an egg

with me. For the last few years they have been regularly imported

from Para. The male has a rather pretty whistle and is very amusing

in his display ; the female has a loud quack and displays like a Sheld-

duck. They are very fussy but not really vicious, and can be associated

to most Ducks and Geese.


The Egyptian or Nile Goose (Alopochen cegyptiaca) is a very

common African bird, and also very common in Europe where it breeds

freely. The male has a curious husky voice, but the female quacks

loudly ; they are very spiteful to Geese and Sheld-ducks. The chicks

resemble young Sheld-ducks.


I keep in a pen a curious semi-albinistic male in which all

normal colours appear as very pale ; it is a handsome bird. I put an



