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ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 
INDIAN BLACK-BACKED GOOSE 
(Sarcidiornis melanonota) 
This bird is commonly known as “comb duck.’’ 
because of the fleshly comb which ornaments the 
head of the male. This comb becomes greatly 
enlarged during the breeding season, and shrinks 
when that period has passed. 
Photograph by Elwin R. Sanborn 
The Zoological Park is rich in rare and beau¬ 
tiful birds, and it is difficult to select outstand¬ 
ing individuals for special notice but visitors 
should make a point of seeing the splendid male 
argus pheasant, at the Pheasants’ Aviary. This 
bird was purchased in 1918 and if he continues 
to thrive until next October, he will have com- 
EMI’EROR GOOSE (Philacte canagica) 
This is the rarest of North American geese. It 
breeds in Alaska and winters in the Aleutians, 
sometimes coming down to British Columbia and 
even to California. This specimen, the first to be 
included in our collection, came to us by way of 
Holland. 
Photograph by Elwin R. Sanborn 
nleted a period of four years in the Zoological 
Park. When first offered to us, he had just 
been landed after a voyage from India via the 
Cape of Good Hope, and this fact, coupled with 
a reputation for delicacy in captivity, occasioned 
some hesitation before we finally decided to 
make the purchase. 
COSCOROBA GOOSE (Coscoroba coscoroba) 
Strongly resembling the swans, this bird is strangely anomalous in character, and is variously known 
as swan, goose and even duck. It is usually very delicate in captivity but this pair is remarkably robust. 
Photograph by Elwin R. Sanborn. 
