BIRDS. 



85 



the two precediug forms, aud tbe light edgings of the feathers more sharply contrasted with the 

 general color. These characters are not always to be trusted, however. Very frequently the neck 

 at the base of the black is surrounded by a ring of white, varying from a single series of feathers 

 to a band half an inch broad. Whether this white ring is present or not the feathers surrounding 

 the base of the neck are much darker than the rest of the back or breast; and, in case the white 

 ring is absent, the black neck area shades gradually into the color of the back aud breast in place of 

 the sharp limit seen dividing the colors in the other two forms. The color of the entire under 

 surface, excei)t the abdomen, is very much darker thau in either of the other two forms, aud the 

 feathers are edged and glossed with a dull burnt-umber shade, giving a peculiar tint not seen on 

 the others. In consequence of the dark colors ou the lower surface of minima the contrast 

 between the abdominal white and the dark brownish of the breast is striking. Tail-feathers, 16. 

 There is no difference in the number of tail-feathers so far as I have been able to find after exam- 

 ining over one hundred birds of the various forms. 



The last specimen measured in the minima series presents a combination of the characters of 

 that form and Imtchinsii, but is nearest minima. A specimen in the National Museum collection, 

 taken at Sitka in May, which is one of the two specimens cited by Dall from that locality under 

 the name occidentalis, only agrees with this form in having a slightly smaller bill thau is usual in 

 canadensis. It measures as follows: "Wing, 18; tail, 5. SO; tarsus, 3.15; culmen, 1.G2; depth of 

 bill, 88. 



In his paper on the birds of the Western Aleutian Islands, Mr. Dall, under the heading of 

 Bernicla nigricans, gives some interesting observations concerning this bird. He informs us that 

 it does not breed east of Amchitka Island, but some nest on Amchitka, Kyska, and other islands 

 there. 



They choo.se the hill-tops for their breeding places, according to the naturalist quoted, and he 

 secured eggs on June 15 and the unfledged young July 10. 



The nesting habits, notes, and general mode of life of Hutchin's Goose are identical with those 

 of minima, so they need not be specially referred to here. Eggs of this bird taken at the Yukon 

 mouth in June, 1879, measure 3.03 by 2.10, 3.08 by 2.11, 3.04 by 2, 3 by 2.11, 2.90 by 2.07. 



So great is the variation in size in the eggs of this bird and those of minima, that unless the 

 eggs are identitied ou the spot it is a hopeless task to try and separate them afterwards. By the 

 test of measurements alone the same diificnlty would be experienced in separating the birds them- 

 selves as they grade insensibly from one to the other, but removing liutchinsii and the two extremes 

 are found in the other two forms. 



Branta canadensis occidentalis (Baiid). White-cheeked Goose. 



During my residence on the coast of Bering Sea this bird was not seen, and as hundreds of the 

 two other related forms were examined both at Saint Michaels and the Yukon mouth, it appears 

 evident either that the White-cheeked Goose proper never reaches this part of the Territory, or, 

 if at all, merely as a very rare straggler. 



Mr. Dall records specimens at Sitka during the Western Union Telegraph Expedition. 



