LESSEI^ SNOIV GOOSE. 37 



sufficiently to fatten, but after a short stay upon the 

 plains and waters of more southern climes, where food is 

 abundant and easily obtained, it soon recuperates and 

 becomes fat and in fine condition. 



At times this species assembles in such multitudes as 

 to give the landscape the appearance of being covered 

 with snow, but if the sportsman, misled by their numbers, 

 thinks he certainly can secure some individuals out of 

 such a vast concourse, and attempts to get within 

 shooting distance by any ordinary means, he will prob- 

 ably find himself greatly mistaken, for long before the 

 desired spot is gained, he will see the vast white sheet 

 rise, and countless wings winnow the air. Sometimes 

 they will permit a wagon to be driven almost into their 

 midst, or a man on horseback can charge at full speed 

 and get up to them, and many are occasionally taken by 

 these methods, but they soon learn what dangers to 

 avoid, and are very successful in doing so, although they 

 may immediately afterward be deceived by some more 

 simple but novel stratagem. The young are always un- 

 suspicious, and can easily be distinguished from the old 

 birds, even in the air, by their grayish plumage, which 

 makes them very noticeable among the pure white mem- 

 bers of the flock, and at a little distance, they appear as 

 if they had soiled their feathers in mud, which had after- 

 ward become dry. 



The Lesser Snow Goose does not differ in appearance 

 from the larger species, and it will be often necessary to 

 measure a specimen to know to which form it belongs. 

 Size is at all times a most unsatisfactory distinction. 

 This bird is called Baily (white) Goose, by the Russians, 

 and Oie Blanche and White Brant in Louisiana, and the 

 same names are also applied to the succeeding form in 

 that State. 



