Genus ANSER

Genus ANSER.

Anser Brisson, Ornith., i, p. 08, vi, p. 361 (1760).

Type by taut., Anas anser Linn.

In this genus the bill is short and high at the base ; the nostril is situated half-way between the base and the tip, whilst the latter is furnished with a nail-like dertrum ; the tarsus is fairly long and strong; the wing is long and pointed; the tail short and rounded, containing sixteen or eighteen feathers.

In the following key several Geese are included which have not yet been proved to visit India, though it seems incredible that they should not do so and further material may prove that they do. The names of these Geese are placed in brackets.

Key to Species.

A. Head with no black bands.
a. Nail of maxilla white or nearly so.
a1. No white or very little white on forehead; rump grey……………A. anser, p. 398.
b2. A good deal of white on forehead, round base of bill; rump dark greyish-brown.
a2. Wing over 15 inches……………A. albifrons, p. 399.
b2. Wing under 15 inches……………A. erythropus, p. 401.
b. Nail of maxilla black or nearly so.
c1. Margin of wing ashy blue-grey, upper wing-coverts light slaty-grey……………A. brachyrhynchus, p. 401.
d1. Margin of wing and wing-coverts dark brown or blackish-brown.
a2. Pale-coloured parts of bill rose-pink……………A. neglectus, p. 403.
b2. Pale-coloured parts of bill yellow.
a3. Nail less than quarter length of culmen
a4. Culmen under 70 mm…………… (A. fabalis fabalis), p. 404.
b4, Culmen over 70 mm……………A. fabalis sibiricus, p. 404.
b3. Nail more than quarter length of culmen…………… (A. fabalis serrirostris.)
B. Head with two black bands……………A. indicus, p. 405.

* I cannot distinguish between A a. anser and A. a rubrirostris; the bigger the series one examines the more difficult it becomes to do so.