198 BULLETIN 130, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



extremes in our series are inclusive. From the above we can infer 

 only that the breeding range of the larger race has never been found 

 and that none of its eggs are in existence. The breeding range of 

 the species, Anser alhifrons, is circumpolar, except for a decided gap 

 between Greenland and the district of Mackenzie. Somewhere in 

 this gap, or in the Arctic regions north of it, may be the breeding 

 grounds of the big tule goose. An interesting parallel is seen in the 

 case of the Ross goose, which also is found in a restricted winter 

 range in California; the breeding grounds of both are entirely un- 

 known; perhaps some day both may be found breeding somewhere 

 in the vast unexplored regions of the Arctic Archipelago. 



Behavior. — Messrs. Swarth and Bryant (1917) have referred to 

 certain characteristic habits of the tule goose, as follows: 



It is said tliat the two kinds flock separately, for the most part ; and that 

 the larger race is never seen in such big flocks as is customary with the other, 

 but is most frequently noted singly or in pairs. Also that while the smaller 

 variety is a common frequenter of grain fields and uplands generally the 

 larger one is preeminently a denizen of open water or of ponds and sloughs 

 surrounded by tules and willows. The predilection of the latter species for 

 such localities has given rise to the local names by which it is known, " tule 

 goose," or " timber goose," as contrasted with the upland-frequenting " speckle- 

 belly." 



The notes of the tule goose are said to be " coarser and harsher '"' 

 than those of the smaller bird. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Breeding range. — Unknown. It may fill in the gap in the known 

 breeding range of alhifrons., between the district of Mackenzie and 

 Greenland, where much far northern land is unexplored. 



Winter range. — Mainly in California (Sacramento Valley). It 

 may also occur in other central valleys of California and perhaps 

 rarely elsewhere. 



ANSER FABALIS (Latham) 

 BEAN GOOSE 



HABITS 



Because this common European species has been recorded as a 

 straggler in northern Greenland it has been included in our Ameri- 

 can list. It was named the bean goose because of its well-established 

 habit of arriving in England with great regularity during bean- 

 harvesting time in October; beans were very extensively cultivated 

 in certain districts, to which these geese resorted in large numbers 

 to feed on the remains of the harvest. John Cordeaux (1898) says 

 on this subject: 



