ANSERINJE — THE GEESE — BERNICLA. 



467 



breeds. It was rare at Nulato, or farther inland, on the Yukon. Its eggs were taken 

 by him at Pastolik. 



According to the observations of Mr. Elliott, it is of occasional occurrence on the 

 Prybilof Islands, where from time to time it straggles in small squads of from ten to 

 thirty, evidently driven by the high winds from their customary line of emigration 

 along the -mainland. Although not breeding there, this bird spends occasionally 

 weeks at a time on the lakelets and uplands before taking flight. 



Several specimens were taken on the Yukon Eiver by Mr. Kennicott, in May, 

 18(31 ; at Fort Yukon by Mr. S. Jones ; on St. Michael's Island by Mr. Bannister ; 

 and at Fort Kenai by Mr. Bischoff. 



Mr. L. Belding (In epist.) considers the B. leucajmreia " a strongly-marked species," 

 and says that it is abundant in winter in California, where it is known to hunters as 

 the " Cackler," or " Cackling Goose," on account of its peculiar cry. His first fall 

 record of its occurrence at Stockton is October 12, and the latest spring record, 

 April 25. 



Bernicla brenta. 



THE BRANT GOOSE. 



Anas bernicla, Linn. S. N. I. 1766, 198. — AVils. Am. Oin. Ylll.nsu, pi. 72, fig. 1. 



Branta bernicla, Banmst. Pr. Ac. Nat." Sei. Philad. 1870, 131 (nee Scopoli). — CouES, Key, 1872, 



284 ; Check List, 1873, no. 484 ; B. X. W. 1874, 556. 

 Anser bernicla, Illig. Prodr. 1811, 277. —Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. IT. 1831, 469. — Nutt. Man. IL 



1834, 359. —AuD. Oin. Biog. V. 1839, 24, 610, pi. 391 ; Synop. 1839, 272; B. Am. VI. 1843, 



203, pi. 379. 

 Anser brenta. Pall. Zoog. 11. -A. II. 1826, 223. 

 Bernicla brenta, Stephens, Gen. Zool. XII. pt. ii. 1824, 46. — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 767 ; Cat. 



N. Am. B. 1859, no. 570. — Eidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 595. — Coues, Check List, 2d 



ed. 1882, no. 700. 

 A7iser torquata, Fkisch, Vog. Deutschl. II. pi. 156. 

 Bernicla melanopsis, Macgill. Man. Orn. II. 1842, 151. 



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Hab. Eastern North America in general, 

 but chiefly the Atlantic coast ; rare in the^ in- 

 terior, or away from salt water ; Palsearctic 

 Eegion. 



Sp. Char. Adult (No. 63616, New York 

 market, J. H. Batty) : Head, neck, and jngulum 

 continuous black, the anterior portion of the 

 head having a brownish cast ; posterior outline 

 of the black on the jugtiluin very regular and 

 sharply-defined against the brownish gray of the 

 breast. Middle of the neck with a transverse 

 crescentic patch of white on each side, formed 

 of white tips and sub-tips of the feathers, the 

 black showing through in places so as to form 

 oblique lines. Above, smoky-plumbeous, the 

 feathers distinctly bordered terminally with a 

 much paler and more brownish shade. Wings 

 like the back, but with a somewhat plumbeous 

 cast, the paler margins nearly obsolete. Sec- 

 ondaries blackish brown ; primaries brownish 

 black. Tail uniform black, but almost concealed by the snow-white lengthened co 

 upper of which, however, are invaded by a medial stripe of blackish plumlieous-brown 



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