The Mauritius sheldgoose (Alopochen mauritiana) is an extinct sheldgoose that was endemic to Mauritius. Accounts by visitors in the 17th century mentioned geese, with few details. In 1893, a wing-bone (depicted) and pelvis were attributed to a new species of comb duck, but later determined to belong to a relative of the Egyptian goose in Alopochen, a genus of sheldgeese. The bird may have descended from Egyptian geese that colonised the Mascarene Islands. This small sheldgoose had wings that were half black and half white. Although smaller than the Egyptian goose, it had more robust legs. Accounts indicate they were very tame, were grazers, lived in groups, and were usually found on the north side of the island except when seeking water to drink in the dry season. They were terrestrial, and avoided water. The species was eaten by travellers, and while abundant in 1681, it was declared extinct in 1698, probably due to overhunting and predation by introduced animals, particularly cats.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius_sheldgoose

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1863:

Confederate forces were defeated by the Union Army on the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg

1940:

Second World War: The Royal Navy attacked the French fleet at Mers El Kébir, fearing that the ships would fall into Axis hands after the French–German armistice. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Mers-el-K%C3%A9bir

1973:

British singer David Bowie retired his stage persona Ziggy Stardust in a surprise announcement on the last day of a 17-month tour. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziggy_Stardust_Tour

2013:

General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led a coalition to depose President Mohamed Morsi in a coup d'état in Cairo, suspending the Egyptian Constitution of 2012. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Egyptian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

retain: 1. (transitive) 2. Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop. 3. (education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back. 4. Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain. 5. (medicine) To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ. 6. To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated. 7. To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back. 8. To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember. 9. To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve. 10. To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily. 11. (chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed. 12. To keep (someone) in one's pay or service; also, (chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent or follower. 13. (reflexive) To control or restrain (oneself); to exercise self- control over (oneself). 14. (archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent (someone) from leaving. 15. (Christianity) To declare (a sin) not forgiven. 16. (intransitive) 17. To keep in control or possession; to continue having. 18. To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use the memory. 19. (medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or a substance. 20. (obsolete) 21. To refrain from doing something. 22. To be a dependent or follower to someone. 23. (rare) To continue, to remain. 24. An act of holding or keeping something; a possession, a retention. 25. Synonym of retinue (“a group of attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important”) https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/retain

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Association with human beings lures one into self-observation.   --The Zürau Aphorisms https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Z%C3%BCrau_Aphorisms