THE WHITE-FEONTED GOOSE. 479 



to " vary from the Bean Goose in preferring low and 

 marshy districts to the upland and drier haunts of that 

 bird, and in these localities subsists on the aquatic grasses, 

 being very seldom seen to frequent corn or stubble fields." 

 In K^orfolk it has frequently been seen associated with the 

 Bean Goose. It has never been observed to remain with 

 us after April, when it betakes itself to the regions bor- 

 dering on the Arctic circle. In Lapland it is very abun- 

 dant, and in the fur countries of North America it was 

 seen in spring by Dr. Eichardson in large flocks travelling 

 northwards. It breeds in the woody districts skirting 

 Mackenzie's Eiver, and in the islands of the Arctic Sea. 



The white forehead of this bird tends to confirm the 

 opinion maintained by some authors that the common 

 Domestic Goose owes its origin to this species. 



THE BEENICLE GOOSE. 



ANSER LEUCOPSIS. 



Forehead, sides of the head, and throat, pure white ; a dark streak between the 

 eyes and bill ; head, neck, quills, and tail, black ; rest of the upper plumage 

 undulated transversely with ash-grey, black, and dull white ; lower plumage 

 white, tinged on the flanks with grey ; irides dusky-brown ; bill and feet black. 

 Length two feet one inch. Eggs greenish white. 



" This very beautiful bird," says Macgillivray, " occurs in 

 the Northern Hebrides, Shetland, and Orkney Islands, 

 where it arrives in October and remains till April It 

 then more frequently retires to the sea than to the lakes 

 during its periods of repose, or when driven from its 

 feeding-grounds. A large flock then presents a beautiful 

 spectacle, as the birds sit lightly on the water, and when 

 advancing elevate their necks. Not less beautiful do they 

 seem when on wing ; now arranged in long lines, ever un- 

 dulating ; at one time extending in the direction of their 

 flight ; at another obliquely, or at right angles to it, some- 

 times in an angular figure, and again mingling together. 

 Their voice is clear, and rather shrill, and comes agreeably 



