46 WATER FOWL. 



and various others in Behring Sea, and also about the 

 islands of the Aleutian chain, but is not known to 

 breed on any of the last named. At St. Michael 

 Island this species is abundant in May, and is 

 called the Tundrina Goose or Low-ground Goose. 

 Mr. MacFarlane, who found many of their nests on 

 the Anderson River, states that these were depressions 

 in the soil, and in nearly every instance lined with dried 

 grass, down, and feathers. In Alaska the nest is placed 

 in a hollow in the sand, or on the bank of some large 

 pond or grassy flat, and is lined, like those on the eastern 

 side of the continent, with grass or moss. But as the 

 eggs are laid, the female plucks down from her breast, 

 increasing the quantity until, the complement having 

 been reached, the eggs are fairly covered. These are 

 dull white, very similar to those of the Snow Goose. 



The White-fronted Goose reaches its breeding 

 grounds early in May, and is a very noisy bird, and an- 

 nounces its presence by loud cries. Mating accom- 

 plished they scatter in pairs, selecting sites for their nests 

 and preparing for the serious duties of incubation. They 

 remain about the fresh-water lakes and ponds, and sub- 

 sist upon grasses, berries, and such like food. The 

 parents attend the young until the latter are able to fly, 

 usually in August, and later gather together in large 

 flocks preparatory to starting on their southern journey, 

 which is begun toward the last of September. This 

 species usually makes its appearance within the limits of 

 the United States in October, and is most numerous, as 

 already stated, on the Pacific side of the continent. It is 

 often seen associating with other Geese, especially the 

 Snow Geese, with which it appears to be on most friendly 

 terms. The birds seek their feeding grounds, if away 

 from the coast, in the early mornings, and as they often 



