THE SNOW GOOSE, 265 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
THE SNOW GOOSE. 
(Anser Hyberoreous. ) 
LENGTH, 32 inches ; extent, 60 inches; bill, 3 inches, 
purplish carmine color, very thick at the base, rising 
high in the forehead, small and compressed at the ex- 
tremity, terminating in a whitish, rounding nail; the 
edges of the two mandibles separate their whole length 
in asingular manner ; the gibbosity occupied by dental 
rows resembling teeth; which, with the parts adjoining, 
are of blackish color. 
Plumage, snowy white, except the forepart of the 
head all round as far as the eyes, which is yellowish rust 
color, mixed with white, andexceptthe nine exterior 
quill feathers, which are black, shafted with white, and 
white at the roots. The coverts of these and of the 
bastard wing sometimes pale ash color. 
Legs and feet, purplish carmine; iris, dark hazel : 
tail rounded, of sixteen feathers; the tongue is horny 
at the extremity, and armed oneach side with thirteen 
long, sharp, bony teeth, placed like those of a saw, with 
their points inclined backward. 
The Snow Goose,while almost a total stranger to many 
hunters in Eastern, Middle and some Western States, 
