This is the parent stock of our domestic goose, and though smaller, it has a longer neck and larger wings. The upper part of the body is brownish grey, the under part is greyish white; the breast is clouded with rusty brown; the beak is orange and black; the feet are red. Several domestic geese preserve this original plumage, even to the colours of the beak. OBSERVATIONS.--This species frequents the shores of the North Sea during the summer; but in autumn departs in large flights disposed in a triangular form, and passes the winter in more southern countries, feeding on the blades of newly-sprung rye. There are places in Thuringia where thousands of these birds collect in winter; they are very distrustful, placing sentinels as soon as they alight, which are so watchful, that it is very difficult to take or shoot them. If by chance the wing of one of these geese is shot, it may easily be kept in the yard with poultry; they are also taken in snares laid in places frequented by them during the night; they associate without difficulty with the domestic geese; but I only know one instance of a wild male pairing with a domesticated female. THE SCAUP DUCK. Anas marila, LINNÆUS; Le Milloninan, BUFFON; Der Bergente, BECHSTEIN. This species, like the former, passes in autumn from the north to the south. They are caught and shot among the common wild ducks. The scaup duck may be tamed so far as to remain sociably among the domestic ones, will eat bread soaked in water, oats, and barley; in short, all that is given to common ducks. Its size also is similar, but it is black, with the belly and speculum white; five black transverse lines unite on the white ground of the upper part of the body; the wings and tail are dusky. THE MALLARD. Anas Boschas fera, LINNÆUS; Le Canoel sauvage, BUFFON; Der wilde Ente BECHSTEIN. Our domestic ducks derive their origin from this species. It is spread throughout Europe on lakes, ponds, and rivers. Its length is two feet; its plumage ash grey, striped and waved transversely with white and brown; the head and neck are bright green, known by the name of duck-green; the breast is chestnut brown; the speculum violet green. The female is brown, like a lark.