The White-Fronted Goose, (Anser albifrons), is worthy of special notice because it is the handsomest of the ten species of North American geese. The breeding grounds are far to the north, and in Alaska the nests are mere hollows in the sand, lined with moss and down.
The Bar-Headed Goose, (Eulabia indica), inhabits the mountains of Central Asia, nesting always over a mile above the sea. It is perhaps the handsomest of all geese.
The Swans.—Usually at least six out of the seven known species of swans may be seen on exhibition here.
The Mute Swan, (Cygnus olor), is the commonest swan in captivity, and is the one made famous in European history and legend. It may always be known from the other species by the black knob at the base of the bill. It breeds freely in captivity and the young birds are known as cygnets.
The Trumpeter Swan, (Cygnus buccinator), being the largest bird in the aviary, and also snowy white, is therefore the most conspicuous. Several fine specimens are shown on the North Island, living contentedly with other species. Some of these specimens were captured in Idaho, when young enough to take kindly to captivity.
The Black Swan, (Chenopsis atrata), of South Australia and Tasmania, is as glossy black, excepting its primaries, as other swans are white. It is a large and handsome bird, and much sought by all persons who form collections of water fowl.
The Coscoroba Goose, (Coscoroba coscoroba), is a fair connecting link between the swans and the ducks, partaking about equally of the characters of each. In size and color it is very much like our snow goose, (Chen hyperborea), but it is peculiar in possessing very long legs of a bright pink color, by which it is quickly recognized. Its bill, also is pink, and the tips of its primaries are black. The Coscoroba Goose is a native of southern South America, and a few years ago specimens were so rare in captivity that a pair sold for $300.
THE FLYING CAGE, No. 4.
This mammoth bird-cage is one of the wonders of the Zoological Park. It represents an attempt to do for certain large and showy water birds, precisely what has been done for the hoofed animals, the beaver, otter, and other species—give them a section of Nature’s own domain. In this they can fly to and fro, build nests and rear their young in real freedom.
Near the lower end of Bird Valley, as a sort of climax for the Goose Aviary when seen from the north, rises a lofty, web-like structure, in the form of a huge, gothic arch. It is 55 feet in height, 75 feet wide, and 152 feet long. The whole structure consists of a series of steel-pipe arches and purlins, the former eight feet apart, over which wire-netting has been tightly stretched.