474 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



It was seen breeding abundantly by Mr. MacFarlane near the Arctic Ocean. Some 

 of the uests were found on small islets in fresh-water ponds ; others on islands in 

 the Anderson, near its mouth ; and many others either on the shore or on islands 

 in Franklin Bay, or other parts of the Arctic Sea. In some cases the nest was noth- 

 ing more than a mere depression lined with down ; but in some the quantity of down 

 was quite large. The number of eggs in a nest was generally five; but in one case 

 as many as seven were seen, and in six or seven instances six. 



On the coast of Norton Sound, Alaska, as observed by Mr. E. Adams ("Ibis," 

 1878), these Geese were observed to ari-ive in the middle of May in great numbers. 

 They were first noticed on the 12th. They keep much more to the sea than the other 

 Geese, and large flocks are only seen inland near their breeding-places. They keep 

 along the coast, out^of shot, and in the spring their line of flight is directly north. 

 They breed in the southern marshes Avith the Hutchins's Goose, the natives collect- 

 ing their eggs at the end of June, and bringing them by boat-loads to Michalaski. 

 Mr. Adams regards the eggs as being by no means good eating, since they are rank 

 and fishy ; but the Eussians consider them excellent. 



Exam])les were taken in large numbers on the Yukon by Mr. Kennicott, and after- 

 ward by Mr. T. Lock hart. j\Ir. MacFarlane found it breeding in abundance on islands 

 northeast of the mouth of Anderson Eiver, in Liverpool Bay on the Arctic coast, on 

 Franklin Bay, on various other parts of the coast, and especially in regions west of 

 Anderson River. 



Eggs of this species from Liverpool Bay (Smithsonian Institution, No. 9483) are 

 of a dull ivory-white, or a grayish-white color, and range in length from 2.75 to 2.90 

 inches, and in breadth from 1.80 to 1.85 inches. 



Branta leucopsis. 



THE BAKNACLE GOOSE. 



Anser leucopsis, Bechst. Tasclib. 1803, 424. — Nutt. Man. W. 1834, 355. — AuD. Orn. Biog. III. 



1835, 609, pi. 296 ; Synop. 1839, '271 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 200, pi. 378. 

 Anas leucopsis, TEiMM. Man. 1815, 531. 

 Bernicla leucoims, Boie, Isis, 1822, 563. — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 768 ; Cat N. Am. B. 1859, no. 



572. — EiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, no. 597. — Coues, Check List, 2(1 ed. 1882, no. 699. 

 Branta leucopsis, BxVNNI.St. Pr. Ac. Nat. Sci. Pliilad. 1870, 131. — Coues, Key, 1872, 283 ; Check 



List, 1873, no. 483 ; Birds X. W. 1874, 558. 



Hab. Palsearctic Region ; casual in Eastern North America (Hudson's Bay and Jamaica 

 Bay, Long Island, specimens in U. S. National Museum ; Currituck Sound, N. C. ; cf. Lawr. 

 Am. Nat. V. 1871, 10). 



Sp. Chau. Adult (No. 49788, Hudson's Bay Territory ; B. R. Ross) : Anterior portion of the 

 back, juguluni, neck, and occiput, tf) nearly above the eyes, uniform deep black, the posterior out- 

 line of whicli on th<' juL,ailuni is very regular and sharply defined. Head mostly white, with a 

 black stripe from the upper basal angle of the bill to the eye. Lower parts grayish white, becom- 

 ing dark cinereous on the sides and flanks, where the feathers are broadly tipped with grayish 

 white. Anal region, crissuni, and upper tail-coverts immaculate pure white. Interscapulars, 

 rump, and tail uniform lilack ; scapulars black, their concealed bases slate- color. Wing-coverts 

 glaucous-ash, broadly tipped (for about .65 of an inch) with black, the last row ("greater coverts") 

 conspicuously tip|>ed with white. Secondaries and primaries brownish slate-black, fading basally 

 into slaty ash. Bill and feet deep bhick. Wing, 16.50 inches ; tail, 6.00 ; culmen, 1.20 ; bill .80 

 wide and deep at base ; tarsus, 2.75 ; middle toe, 1.90. 



Two European specimens in the National Collection differ from thaf described above — which is 

 the only American e.\ample of the species we have seen — in the nuich lighter color of the upper 



