THE LIVING WORLD. 
399 
save an experienced hunter is likely to meet with much success putting any 
of these means into, execution, but the novice may find a flock distracted, or 
less mistrustful, during a heavy snow-storm and make a heavy bag. 
The Cape Barron Goose ( Cereopsis New Holland) is one of the largest 
of the genera. As its name implies, it is chiefly found in Australia. It is 
sometimes captured and domesticated, while the eggs are often found and 
hatched out by domestic poultry. But, though it is considered a great acqui¬ 
sition to the poultry-yard, its disposition is very 
quarrelsome, and it occasionally commits great 
havoc among the other fowls. 
The Gray Goose (. Anser cinereus ) is seldom 
seen in this country, nor is it often met with 
in Europe now, though formerly it was quite 
numerous. From this species it is believed our 
common domestic goose is descended. 
The Ring-necked Goose (. Bernicla tor- 
quata ) is our common species of wild goose , 
found plentifully distributed in the western part 
of the United States, and in the summer time 
may be found far within the Arctic circle. The 
name bernicla , or barnacle , has been given to 
this species by old sailors, who formerly sup- cape barron goose. 
posed it to be a product of the barnacle shell , 
or so-called goose-mussel. This belief was not confined to ignorant sailors, 
but was affirmed by the early naturalists. 
The Brent Goose (. Bernicla brenta ), more commonly called Brant, is also 
a frequenter of the United States, usually 
preceding the other species in the spring 
and fall by one or two weeks. It is quite 
numerous, resembles the common wild goose, 
except that it is smaller in size, and does 
not have the conspicuous ring of white 
and black feathers about the jaws. 
Next to the goose (though it might 
more properly precede it) is the Swan, 
which is given a subordinate rank because 
of its scarcity, and because it is very rarely 
seen in this country outside of a public 
park. In England the bird has for more 
than two centuries been under royal pro- 
GRAY eag goose (Anser ferus). tection, very . severe penalties being pro¬ 
vided against its destruction, except by legal 
authority. The swan is there regarded as a royal bird, and no one may raise 
them without a license from the Crown. Each person, so licensed, must file 
a special “ swan mark,” by which his birds may be distinguished, the mark 
being cut in the upper mandible of the bird. All swans which reach a certain 
age without being marked are called clear bills , and become property of the 
Crown, unless they be kept by special permit, granting the right to seize and 
keep any adult swan which has not been marked. 
