Goose-shooting 223 



of which died. The next fall, as a flock of snow 

 geese was passing over, one of them separated 

 from the others, mating with the tame goose, and 

 remained through the winter. The following 

 spring it rejoined its brethren and proceeded 

 north. In the fall it again returned. This is 

 said to have been repeated for several years. 

 (B. B. & R.) 



Perhaps the most common name for this bird 

 is the white brant. In localities it is called white 

 wavey. By the Russians it is known as barley 

 goose. The weight of the snow goose is from 

 four to six pounds. 



GREATER SNOW GOOSE 

 r {Chen hyperborea nivalis) 



Adult male a7id female — General plumage, white, with black pri- 

 maries, and primary coverts, ash ; frequently a rusty tinge on 

 head anteriorly ; bill and feet, pink ; iris, brown. 



The young bird has a grayish tinge to neck, head, and upper 

 part. This bird resembles the lesser snow goose precisely, 

 differing from it only in size. 



Measurements — Total length, 34 inches ; wing, 17.50 inches ; tarsus, 

 3.30 inches ; culmen, 2.60 inches ; the average difference in 

 measurement between these two varieties is length, 9 inches ; 

 wing, 1.70 inches; tarsus, .70 inch. 



Habitat — Breeds in northern Greenland, and possibly at Liverpool 

 Bay, and the Barren Grounds on the Arctic Coast, south to Hud- 

 son Bay. Winters chiefly on the Atlantic Coast of North Caro- 

 lina, occurring rarely at this season also in New Brunswick, 

 Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and south to 

 Florida, Key West, and Cuba ; also on the Gulf Coast of Louisi- 

 ana and Texas, occasionally north to western New York, Ohio, 



