I48 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



71 [169. 1] Chen caerulescens (Linn.). 

 Blue Goose. 



Accidental visitor. 



A young female was shot in or near Essex Creek, West Gloucester, on 

 October 20th, 1876. The mounted specimen is now in the collection of Mr. 

 W. A. Jeffries. 1 This is the only record for the State. 



[171a] Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.). American White-fronted Goose. A speci- 

 men of Blue Goose (Chen ctsrulescens) shot near Essex, in 1S76, which came into the possession 

 of Mr. W. A. Jeffries, was at first thought to be this species and was so reported by Dr. Brewer. 2 

 The White-fronted Goose is believed to have been formerly an uncommon transient visitor. 

 Dr. Brewer 2 says that " between 1S36 and 1846, [it] was much more common than it apparently 

 is now." I have placed it among the doubtful species as there are no specimens in existence 

 from the County. 



72 [172] Branta canadensis (Linn.). 

 Canada Goose ; " Wild Goose." 



Common transient visitor ; March 9 to May 25 (June 2, June 5) ; Septem- 

 ber 21 to January 10. 



My earliest date in the spring was recorded in 1876, by R. L. Newcomb. 3 

 The June 5th date is noted by Mr. A. F. Tarr, who saw a flock off Thatcher's 

 Island on that date, in 1895, and again in 1896. On June 2d, 1877, I saw at 

 Magnolia a belated flock of eight or ten Geese going north. In 1902, several 

 flocks were seen going south in January as late as the 9th, and in 1904, as late 

 as the 10th of that month. 



There is no more impressive sight than a flock of a hundred or more Canada 

 Geese flying over in perfect V-form. Their honking is often heard before the 

 birds are seen and increases in volume as the flock approaches, gradually dying 

 out as it disappears in the distance. Years ago I spent a week in April in a 

 town on the coast just over the New Hampshire line, where every one kept a 



1 W. A. Jeffries : Auk, vol. 6, p. 68, 1889. 



2 T. M. Brewer: Bull. Nuttall Orn. Club, vol. 2, p. 46, 1877. 



3 R. L. Newcomb : Forest and Stream, vol. 6, p. 417, 1876. 



