. Animal Life and the World of Nature; A magazine of Natural History. Zoo Notes 249 A very singular peculiarity of tbe species consists in the fact that its plumage does not show that complete regularity of marking usually seen in wild birds, but rather recalls that of a pied domestic variety in the disposi- tion of the white areas and their lack of exact definition. In this the spur-winged goose is almost unique among birds, and recalls a compatriot, the African Hunting- Dog (Lycaon pictus) among mammals. The only other birds of the duck family which b e a r spurs on their wings are the littl
. Animal Life and the World of Nature; A magazine of Natural History. Zoo Notes 249 A very singular peculiarity of tbe species consists in the fact that its plumage does not show that complete regularity of marking usually seen in wild birds, but rather recalls that of a pied domestic variety in the disposi- tion of the white areas and their lack of exact definition. In this the spur-winged goose is almost unique among birds, and recalls a compatriot, the African Hunting- Dog (Lycaon pictus) among mammals. The only other birds of the duck family which b e a r spurs on their wings are the little Torrent- Ducks {Mergan- ctta) of the Andes, which are totally dif- ferent in appear- ance and This bird (An- Pink-Footed Goose. ser brachyrhyn- chus) is a good example of the true or typical geese, and even in the photo- graph a great contrast to the stilt}' and glossy spur-wing. It has also the respectable demeanour on which all genuine geese pride themselves. It shows, however, a remarkable inconstancy in the colora- tion of the feet and the tip of the bill. These parts should be pink, as the bird's name implies, but both in captivity and in a wild state specimens may occur with them bright orange, as in the Bean Goose (Anser fabalis). This species, how- ever, may be distinguished by its darker Photograph by W. P. Dando, plumage and larger bill, this organ being noticeably small in the pink-footed species. Australia is the home of a curious group of partridge-like pigeons which Groun™ entirely on the ground, and of these the species figured (Lophophaps plumifera) is the prettiest ex- ample, its long lapwing-like crest giving it a very striking appearance. Its plumage is very elegant, being a fine blending of cinnamon with black and French-grey, and set off by scarlet patches round the eyes. These birds seem to do well at the Zoo, where they keep entirely to the floor of the Western Aviary, and when run- ning show much the same action as partridges
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