466 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



saw many of this species in November on the Truckee meadows, where it is a fall 

 and winter visitant. 



This species is of irregular occurrence on the Atlantic coast. At some seasons it 

 has been found not uncommon in the vicinity of Boston ; and numbers have been 

 brought to market from the Cape. On the eastern extremity of Long Island, accord- 

 ing to Dr. Giraud, it is also not uncommon. It is well known to hunters as the 

 "Mud Goose " at Montauk I'oint. where it is frequently observed in company with 

 the canadensis. The sportsmen of the south side of Long Island are not acquainted 

 with it, although there is no reason to doubt that it is frequently procured there. 

 At some seasons it has been known to be quite abundant in the Chesapeake Bay. 



Mr. Dall found this bird to be the most common of all the Geese, both in the 

 Alaskan islands and all along the Yukon Biver as high up as Nulato. It was breed- 

 ing on St. Michael's and Pastolik, as well as on the river. In the latter place it takes 

 the place of the leucopareia, which is comparatively rare there. The nests were 

 depressions in the sand-beaches, similar to those of the A. GambeU. It arrives in 

 company with the latter species, and leaves about the end of September. The num- 

 ber of its eggs varies from six to eight. 



Mr. MacFarlane foi;nd it nesting in great numbers on the Lower Anderson, and 

 on the shores and islands of the Arctic Sea. Some nests were on low, small islets in 

 fresh-water lakes ; these were constructed of a quantity of down placed in a depres- 

 sion in the ground. The number of eggs was six. The old birds were generally 

 quite tame. Other nests were found on islands in the Anderson Biver, and also in 

 the Arctic Sea. In all instances there was more or less down and feathers, and in 

 some cases these were mingled with dry grasses or leaves. In one instance four eggs 

 of this species were found in the deserted nest of a Crow or Hawk, built on the fork 

 of a pine-tree, and at the height of nine feet. The parent bird Avas shot while on her 

 eggs. The ground in the vicinity was at tliat time covered with snow and water, and 

 this was probably the reason the bird nested in so unusual a place. 



Mr. Adams notes the arrival of these birds on the shores of Norton Sound on the 

 8th of May ; and a considerable number remained to breed in the marshes. They 

 came in small flocks as Avell as by twos and threes, and were all in good condition, 

 but varying greatly in their, weight — one being less than three pounds in weight, 

 while others were nearly six. They were not numerous in the immediate vicinity of 

 Michalaski, the greater number remaining in the marshes thirty miles south. 



Specimens of this Goose were secured by Mr. Kennicott at Fort Besolution and 

 Fort Yukon, in May, 18G0 ; by Mr. B. B. Boss at Big Island and Fort Simpson ; by 

 Mr. MacFarlane on the Anderson, on islands m the Arctic Sea east of that river, also 

 in Franklin Bay and at other points in that region. 



The eggs of Hutchins's Goose are of a dull ivory-white color, and oval in shape. 

 Two from Fort Yukon (Smithsonian Institution, ISTo. 14583) measure, one 3.00 inches 

 in length by 2.(»() iu breadth, the other 2.95 inches in length by 2.05 in breadth. 



Berniela leucopareia. 



The form known as Berniela leucopareia was first described by Brandt, in 1836, 

 and afterward by Professor Baird from a specimen obtained in Puget Sound by Dr. 

 Suckley, in January. Mr. B. lirowne claims to have obtained this bird on Vancouver 

 Island, and mentions it as common there, Mr. Kennicott procured specimens of this 

 form on thu Yukon, but noted nothing specifically distinct as to its habits. Mr. 

 Bannister speaks of it as common in tlic early spring at St. Michael's; and Mr. Dall 

 cites it as al)undaut on the sea-coast, near the. mouth of the Biver Yukon, where it 



