440 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



occurs throughout the northwestern portions of the continent (bemg the only one known to breed 

 in Ahxskti), and in winter migrates over the whole of the country from the Pacific coast to the 

 Mississippi ^'alll■y. Tiie other, with larger general size and disproportionately heavier bill, breeds 

 in the region about Hudson's Bay, and in winter migrates southward chiefly along the Atlantic 

 coast. This bird is the Anas nivalis of Forster (1772), and if it is to be recognized as a race, as 

 we think it ought, it should bi; called Chen (or Anser) hyperhoreus nivalis. 



Among the specimens examined is a young bird (Xo. 84698, U. S. Nat. Mus., S. Turner, coll.) 

 obtained at INIount Carmel, 111. (in winter), which is exceptionally small, measuring, wing, 14.50 ; 

 culmen, 2.05 ; depth of maxilla, at l^ase, 1.20 ; tarsus, 3.00 ; middle toe, 2.00. Of the fifteen 

 exanuned altogether, all possessed sixteen rectrices except one, an adult from Alaska, which had 

 eighteen tail-feathers. 



An adult male killed at Mount Carmel, 111., Oct. 6, 1873 (No. 84696, R. Ridgway, coll.), 

 measured, when fresh, 27.00 inches in length and 57.00 in extent, and weighed 5j lbs. The fresh 

 colors of the unfeathered portions were as follows : Bill bright sabnon-pink, becoming brighter flesh- 

 color around tlie nostril, and more dilute purplish on the lower mandible ; ungui yellowish white, 

 and commissural space deep lilack ; iris dark brown ; eyelids greenish white ; feet dilute purple- 

 lake, the soles of the toes dull light naples-yellow. An adult male collected at Pyramid Lake. 

 Nev., Dec. 28, 1867 (No. 53690, U. S. Nat. Mus., R. Ridgway, coll.), weighed 5 lbs. ; length, 28.00 

 inches. Bill dull light salnion-purjile, becoming white on the ungui ; the salmon-color purest on 

 the culmen, and most purplish l)asally ; the black of the commissural space separated from the 

 purple by a backward extension of the white of the nail ; eyelids flesh-color ; iris vandyke-ljrown ; 

 tarsi and toes deep salmon-purple ; claws black. 



An immature specimen, collected at the Sink of the Humboldt, Nev., Oct. 31, 1867 (No. 

 53689, R. Ridgway, coll.), differed in the color of the bill and feet as follows : Bill blackish dusky, 

 becoming greenish slate on the upper Ijasal portion ; tarsi and toes greenish slate. 



The Snow Goose is an Arctic species, common to both continents, and occurring 

 during the summer in high northern hxtitudes. It is found in its migrations on both 

 coasts, as well as on inland water in the interior, is abundant on the Pacific, but rare 

 on the Atlantic coast, and visiting even Japan, where its local name is Hakugan. 



According to Mr. Boardman, it is by no means uncommon on the coast of Maine ; 

 and the same is true of the region adjacent to the St. Croix River. It is, however, 

 comparatively rare in Massachusetts. On Long Island, according to Giraud, it is also 

 not common. Occasionally the young of this species are seen exposed for sale in the 

 New York markets, but the adults rarely. In some seasons small flocks are met 

 with on the South Bay, and now and then stragglers are noticed flying in company 

 with the common Canada Goose. The whiteness of their plumage renders them very 

 conspicuous, and when opportunity offers they are singled out by the liunters. On the 

 Jersey coast this bird is known as the " Red Goose," and it there usually makes its 

 first appearance in November. As the winter 2:»rogresses it proceeds farther south, 

 stopping again on its return to the nortli, late in winter or early in spring. At times it 

 is said to be abundant on the coast of New Jersey and in Delaware Bay. It there fre- 

 quents the marshes and reedy shores, feeding upon the roots of various marine plants, 

 particularly that known as the sea-cabbage. Its bill is very strong, enabling it to pull 

 up the roots of sedges and other marine plants with great ease. The flesh — while it 

 cannot be called fishy — has a strong and peculiar taste, but is held in high estima- 

 tion by some epicures, who consider it superior to that of the tame Goose. 



On the Pacific coast this bird is more or less abundant from Alaska and Washing- 

 ton Territory to Southern California. Dr. Cooper mentions having seen large flocks 

 of this species at Los Angeles in December, 1860. It occurs in great numbers in the 

 middle and western portions of California in winter, frequenting especially the 

 marshes and plains near the sea, sometimes appearing on the sandy bars about 



