GREATER SNOW UOOSE. 95 



<^reatest number T ever saw at one j)lace was in a fishci'inau's wagon 

 in the Hamilton market. It was early in May. A lai-ge flock, 

 composed chiefly of males and nuiidxTiiii; .dtout loO, liad become 

 entangled in the gill nets, and been di-uwned in Lake Ontaricj, where 

 they had tarried for rest and refreshment. The fishermen, main- 

 taining tliat all is fish which comes into the net, ti'ied to make the 

 most of their "haul." But, although the birds attracted a good deal 

 of notice on account of their l)ciiig strangers and i-iehiv divsscd, they 

 did not meet with a i-eady sale. 



Throughout Ontario they an- found at all suitable places, and Dr. 

 Bell, of the Geological Sui-vey, reports one being shot at York Factor}', 

 where it was considered rare, because their breeding places are 

 usually farther south. 



Dr. Coues found them nesting in Dakota and Montana, and thev 

 have even been known to breed in Cuba, West Indies. 



As divers, they have no equal among the ducks ; and they also 



have the power of suddenly sinking liackward, forward, or sideways, 

 after the manner- of the Grebes, without disturl)ing the surface to anv 



extent. They can remain a long time undei' water, and a chase after 



a wounded one is a hopeless task. 



The eye is placed high in the head, the lower plumage is stiii" and 



glossy, and the tail is black, short and rounded, the feathers being 



very stiff and narrow. When not in use it is carried erect, giving the 



bird a very spirited look when seen amongst others which carry their 



tails horizontally. 



Subfamily ANSERINE Gkese. 



Gexus CHEN BoiK. 



CHEN HYPERBOREA NIVALIS (Fokst.). 



62. Greater Snow Goose. (l(il»") 



Bill, with laniiiiit ver\' pi-oiuiuent, owing to iiieliing of tlie e(lge« of the bill; 

 ailult plumage, pure white, the head often washed witii rusty red ; pi-iniaries, 

 liroadly tipped with black ; bill, lake-red, witli white nail ; feet, the same ; 

 claws, dark. " YoniKj: — Dull bluish or pale lead color on the head and upy^er 

 part of the body." — Cassix. Length, about 80 inclies ; wing, 17 to 19; tail, 

 5i to 6 ; bill, 2A ; tarsus, 3A. 



Hab. — North America; breeding far noilli. and migrating south in \\inter, 

 chiefly along the Pacific coast, reaching (Juba. 



Kggs, five to eight, yellowish-white. 



