White-fronted Goose i8 



J 



In a very puzzling bird (Plate, V ; Fig. 4) shot on January 

 30th, 1912, which could not, therefore, have been a very young bird, 

 the bill was, in the main, dirty chrome-yellow, with an almost black 

 nail, black patches over the orifice of the nares, a black median 

 l)and on the upper surface, and a wide black band occupying rather 

 more than the middle third of the lower mandible. In this bird, 

 the black occupies almost the same position as the bright cadmium- 

 yellow does in the adult. The feathers round the base of the bill 

 were without a trace of white, and the under parts unbarred. There 

 were, therefore, none of the so-called distinguishing marks of the 

 \\'hite-front about this specimen. 



2. The legs and toes are orange, but several shades less bright 

 than in the adult, and the toe-nails very dark horn, practically 

 black. In some birds, passing into adult plumage, one found white 

 and black nails on the same bird. 



Voice. 



The White-fronted Goose is sometimes called the Laughing- 

 Goose from its cr\-. It is a loud, sharp, clear, bi-s\'llabic note, typically 

 anserine, but very distinct. When on the wing, they are perhaps the 

 noisiest of the Grey Geese. The leader calls at frequent intervals ; 

 occasionally other members of the flock will join in, particularly if 

 an3-thing has occurred to disturb tliem. The cry can be heard and 

 easily recognised at a distance of a mile or more. Besides the loud 

 call note, the flock keeps up a very soft, murmuring conversation 

 among themselves when on the wing, which can onl}- be heard at 

 close quarters as they pass over head. On the ground, they are 

 generally silent, unless they happen to answer another passing flock, 

 or unless they are suspicious of danger. If they begin to call while 

 a stalk is in progress, it usually means that they have taken the 

 alarm, and that no time is to be lost by the stalker in getting in his 

 shot. 



Weight. 



In size, the White-front is the smallest of our Grey Geese, but 

 a large alhijrons would out-measure and out-weigh a small Pink- 

 foot or Bean. Mere size is therefore not a sure diagnostic mark. 



Six pounds is a good weight for an adult Gander, the Goose 

 half-a-pound less, immature birds proportionately lighter. 



In S. Uist, these Geese were very local in their habits, always 

 feeding at the southern end of the ground, making their headquarters 

 between Askernish and Milton, and comparatively rare at Bornish 

 and Ormaclett. Like the Grey-lags, they made off to the hills in 

 the east, the " never-never land," when suffering from nervous 



