The lag goose is the largest of the native British species. The next to it in size, and by far the most abundant British wild goose, is the BEAN GoosE (A. segeturn), a very similar bird; the bill longer, orange, with the base and nail black; the plumage mostly gray, but browner than in the gray lag goose, the rump dark brown. •The wings extend beyond the tail. The habits scarcely differ from those of the gray lag goose, but the bean goose is a more northern species. It is common in all the northern parts of Europe and Asia; and great numbers breed in Nova Zembla, Greenland, and other most northern regions.. Large flocks are to be seen in many parts of Britain in win ter, particularly during severe frosts, but a few also breed in the n. of Scotland, and even in the n. of England. The bean goose is easily domesticated, but generally keeps apart from the ordinarily tame geese.—The WRITE-FRONTED GOOSE, or LAUGHING GoosE (A. albifrons), is a frequent winter visitant of Britain; a native of Europe, Asia, and America, breeding chiefly on the coasts and islands of the arctic seas. It is only about 27 in. in its utmost length. The plumage is mostly gray; there is a conspicuous white space on the forehead. It has been often tamed.—Similar to it in size•is the PINE-FOOTED GOOSE (A. b•achyrhynehus), a species which has a very short bill. In England it is rare, and a mere winter visitor, but it breeds in great numbers in some of the Hebrides.—The SNOW GOOSE (A. hyperboreus) is found in all the regions within the Arctic circle, but most abundantly in America, where it migrates southward in winter, as far as the gulf of Mexico. It is somewhat smaller than the bean goose. The gen eral color of the plumage is pure white, the quill feathers brownish black. The feathers imported from the Hudson's bay territories are in great part the produce of this beautiful species, and probably many of the fine white goose feathers imported from Russia. Its flesh is greatly, esteemed.—The CANADA GoosE (A. Canadens4) is one of
the most abundant North American species, breeding even in the milder latitudes, but in vast numbers in the more northern parts, from which it migrates southwards on the approach of winter. It was introduced into Britain at least 200 years ago, and may now be regarded as fully naturaliied; a great ornament of lakes and artificial ponds, froth which it makes excursions in small flocks over the surrounding districts. In the uniform breadth of the bill it resembles swans. It is fully 31ft. from the tip of the bill to the extremity of the tail; but its neck is long and slender, and it does not exceed the common•goose in weight, so much as in length. The bill; the feet, the head, great part of the neck, the quill-feathers, the rump, and the tail are black; there is a cres cent-shaped white patch on the throat., whence this species has received the name of the CRAVAT GOOSE; the back, wings, and flanks arc grayish brown, the breast and belly pure white. The Canada goose has a peculiar resounding hoarse cry. It is easily reduced to the most complete domestication. Its flesh affords great part of the winter supplies of the Hudson's bay residents, and is much used in a salted state.—The CHINA GoosE, or GUINEA GOOSE (A. Guineensis or cygnakles), of which the native country is supposed to be Guinea, has long been known in Britain in a state of domestication. It has an elevated knob at the base of the upper mandible, which has obtained it the name of knobbed goose.—Other species of geese are noticed in the articles BARNACLE GOOSE and CEREOPSIS; and species closely allied to those noticed in this article are found in India and other parts of the world.