GREATER SNOW GOOSE. 95 



greatest number I ever saw at one place was in a fisherman's wagon 

 in the Hamilton market. It was early in Ma}^ A large flock, 

 composed chiefly of males and numbering about 150, had become 

 entangled in the gill nets, and been drowned in Lake Ontario, where 

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

 taining that all is fish which comes into the net, tried to make the 

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

 of notice on account of their being strangers and richly dressed, they 

 did not meet with a ready sale. 



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

 Bell, of the Geological Survey, reports one being shot at York Factory, 

 where it was considered rare, because theii' breeding places are 

 iisually farther south. 



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

 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 backward, forward, or sideways, 

 after the manner of the Grebes, without disturbing the surface to any 

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

 a wounded one is a hopeless task. 



The eye is placed high in the head, the lower plumage is stiff 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 horizontall}". 



Subfamily ANSERINE Geese. 



Genus CHEN Boie. 



CHEN HYPERBOREA NIVALIS (Fokst.). 



62. Greater Snow Goose. (169^) 



Bill, with lamiiiiv very proiniueiit, owing to arching of the edges of the bill ; 

 adult plumage, pui-e white, the head often washed with rusty red; primaries, 

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

 claws, dark. " Young: — Dull bluish or pale lead color on the head and upper 

 part of the body." — Cassin. Length, about 30 inches; wing, 17 to 19; tail, 

 oi to 6 ; bill, 2i ; tarsus, 3i. 



Hab. — North America; breeding far noi-th, and migrating soutli in winter, 

 chiefly along the Pacific coast, reaching Cuba. 



Eggs, five to eight, yellowish-wliite. 



