Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VIII.djvu/113

 GOOSE 105 led, laterally compressed caruncle on the top of the bill; and chenalopex (Steph.), of Africa and tropical America. Of the last the Egyptian or fox goose (G. ^Egyptiacus, Linn.) is a species, bright-colored, and revered by the ancient Egyptians on account of its attach- ment to its young; it has been domesticated in that country. The subfamily anserince, which includes the genera cereopsis (Lath.), anser (Linn.), lernicla (Stephens), nettapus (Brandt), and a few others, are characterized by a mod- erately long neck, bill elevated at the base, as long as or shorter than the head, narrowing to the tip, which is chiefly formed by a large nail, and region in front of the eyes feathered ; the long tibia and tarsus elevate the body more than in others of the family, making them good walkers on the land, while they are also ex- cellent swimmers ; the plates on the front of the tarsus are small and hexagonal, as in the swans, and are not transverse scutellse as in the true ducks ; the colors are rarely brilliant, white, black, and gray predominating, and both sexes, as in the swans, are colored alike. In the genus cereopsis (Lath.) the bill is very short, with a large and broad nail ; it belongs to Aus- tralia, where it wanders on the land in search of grasses, on which it principally feeds, be- ing never seen on the water; the only species (0. Novce Hollandice, Lath.) is of a gray color, of the size of the common goose, and is said to be easily domesticated. The genus anser (Linn.) is characterized by a bill as long as the head, mostly red or orange colored; the la- mellae of the upper mandible project below the edge of the bill as conical points ; the nos- trils open behind the middle of the commis- sure; the tip of the hind toe reaches the ground. The wild goose or gray-lag of Europe (A.ferus, Gesn.), the original of the common domestica- ted race, is of a gray color, with a brown man- tle undulated with gray, and an orange bill. The bean goose (A. segetum, Gmel.) is by some considered a distinct species, and by others a mere variety of the wild goose ; the wings seem to be longer, and the forehead is marked with white spots; whether a species or a variety, the bean goose is probably more or less mixed with the former in some of the domesticated races. Wild geese seek high latitudes in the breeding season and in summer, returning to the warmer parts of Europe in the winter; they are found mostly in meadows and marshes in the interior, where they feed in the daytime on aquatic plants, grasses, and grains ; they walk well, and are very light on the water, on which they generally rest during the night ; they do not dive, but plunge the' head under water to the extent of their long neck; they are rapid and powerful fliers, migrating in two lines meeting at an acute angle ; they are not polygamous, make their nests on the ground, and are very fond of their mates ; the young are able to walk as soon as born, and feed of their own accord. The flight of wild geese is performed without noise, and with an or- der which indicates considerable intelligence; each individual keeps its place in the ranks, the male bird at the head of the triangle or line, when it becomes fatigued, retiring to the rear, and the next one coming forward to take the leading and most fatiguing position. Their sight and hearing are acute, and while they feed or sleep a sentinel is always on the watch to give the alarm at the approach of danger. The awkward gait, outstretched neck, gaping mouth, and disagreeable voice have obtained for the goose the character of stupidity, while in reality it is remarkably intelligent. The flesh is not very wholesome nor digestible. The Chinese tchin-tchu, or Guinea goose (A. cyg- noides, Gmel.), called from its size the swan goose, is more than 3 ft. long; the bill is orange, with a large knob or excrescence on the forehead ; under the throat is a pouch, al- most bare of feathers ; the color above is pale grayish brown, with paler edges ; a black line on the back of the neck; anterior neck and breast yellowish brown; belly white; sides over thighs gray-brown and white; in some varieties the bill, knob, and legs are black; the throat may be wattled, and the plumage mostly or entirely white. Originally from China, they have spread extensively over Asia, Africa, and Europe, and have been import- ed into the United States; they mix freely with the common goose, producing fertile hy- brids ; they are very noisy and easily alarmed ; they walk erect, with the neck much elevated, more like a swan than a goose. Among the American species of the genus is the white- fronted or laughing goose (A. Gambelii, Hartl.), which has been separated from the European bird (A. albifrons, Gmel.) on account of the greater length of the bill. The length is 28 Laughing Goose (Anser Gambelii). in., and the extent of wings 5 ft. ; weight about 5J Ibs. The bill and legs are red; forehead white, margined behind with blackish brown ; rest of head and neck grayish brown, paler on the throat; back and sides bluish gray, feathers anteriorly tipped with brown ; breast