289. Anser ferus.
THE LAG or GREY GOOSE.
Raj-hans, Hans, India; Kallank, Karhans, Bhaugulpore; Sona, N. W. P.; Mogala, Nepal; Kangnai, Manipur; Ghaz, Kashgar.
Female 30" to 35" ; 5 3/4 to 9 lbs. Legs tile-red. Bill fleshy, tip white. Head and neck dove-brown, tinged grey. Irides deep brown. No white on forehead. Above dark brown, edged paler. Below light brown, with black bars on lower breast. Female one-seventh shorter than the male. The origin of the Domestic Goose in Europe. Blyth states that the tame Geese of India are a mixed race, and hybrids between A. ferus and C. cygnoides, the Chinese Goose. Europe north of 50° lat., C. Asia, and S. Siberia, migrating to S. Europe, N. Africa, S.W. Asia, and N. India. Six to fourteen eggs (3 1/2 x 2.4), chalky white. (J. 948, B. 1579.) See illustration, p. 254.
Also A. rubrirostris. 33". Legs and bill red, similar to A. ferus, but more marked with black below. Distinguished by many as the Eastern race.
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