History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

128 BIRDS. PALMIPIDES. Mercus.neck, and the feet have a reddish tinge. Linnaeus confounded this and thepreceding species, under the title Anas Bernicla, although they had previouslybeen well distinguished by "Willoughbv. Temminck censures Linnaeus forbestowing the trivial name erythropiis on the bernacle. The error, however,does not belong to Linnaeus. Had the celebrated Dutch naturalist looked atthe description of Linnaeus, he would have found, that, under the name erythropus,the laughing goose is well described ; and, had he glanced at the pagesof Willoughby, he would have perceived the inexpediency of adopting theepithet " Leucopsis," from Bechstein, as " Bernicla" had long preoccupiedits place and avoided the employment of " Bernicla" to ; designate the" Brenta."As a straggler, the Anser rufaollis, (Anas ruficollis Bed-breasted Goose,Temm. Orn. h. 82G.), here merits a place. It may readily be distinguished by itsbrown bill, with the black nail and feet. The crown, throat, belly, and tailblack ;the vent, rump, and tail-covers white ; the front of the neck and breastred. This species, a native of eastern and northern Europe, has been two orthree times found in this country. One was shot near London, in 1 7CC, andanother taken alive in Yorkshire, according to Montagu. One was shot nearBerwick-upon-Tweed, by Mr Burney, gunsmith, and sent to Mr Bullock, inwhose possession I saw it in May 1818.Several species of geese have likewise been imported, and continue in a domesticatedstate ;among which may be reckoned,1. A. Gambensis. Egyptian, Ganser, or Gambo Goose, Will. Orn. 273 Billred ;the throat, cheeks, and upper part of the head are white ; the back, rump,and tail are glossy black; each wing has a blunt spur on the bend.— Introducedfrom Africa.2. A. Canadensis. Canada Goose, Will. Orn. 276—Bill black ; head andneck black ;a white crescent on the throat. Back greyish-brown. Belly, vent,and tail-covers white. Tail black—Introduced from North America.3. A. Hispanicus. Chinese, Spanish, Guinea, or Swan Goose. Will. Orn.275 Bill orange at the base, with a large knob. A wattle under the throat.A dark-brown stripe from the nape to the back. Deportment stately Nativecountry doubtful.Gen. XC. MERGUS. Goosander—Bill narrow. Hindtoewith a fin.Nostrils near the middle of the bill.200. M. Merganser. Green-headed Goosander.— Bill andlegs red. Breast and wing-spot white.Merganser, Will. Orn. 253.— Mergus Mer. Linn. i.Syst. 208 Penn.Brit. Zool. ii. 55C— Temm. Orn. ii. 881 E, Jack-saw; W, Hwyadddan heddoy; JV. Harle.— Breeds in Orkney and the Hebrides.— Awinter visitant of other districts.Length 28, breadth 38 inches ; weight 4 pounds. Bill crimson, narrow beforethe nostrils ; ridge and nail dusky. Mouth orange. Feet scarlet ; thenails dusky. Irides chesnut. Head and neck deep duck-green, becomingblack under the chin. Lower neck, shoulders, and below white, tinged withcream yellow. Feathers on the nape loose, and slightly produced. Primaries,and their covers, brownish-black. The foremost secondaries black ; the middleones white ; the inner ones, which are long and pointed, are white, edgedwith black. First covers of the secondaries white, with a black base ; the secondwhite ; those at the shoulder dusky, with pale edges. Inner scapularsblack ; outer ones white. Upper back deep black, verging to grey at therump. Tail of 18 grey pointed feathers. The female, which is the Dundiver(Mergus castor) of British writers, has a long crest. The head, and upper