42 WATER FOWL. 



CHEN HYPERDOREUS NIVALIS. 



Geographical Distribution. — Shores of the Arctic Ocean east 

 of the Mackenzie River, occasionally going south as far as Cuba, 

 and from the Valley of the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean. 

 Breeds in the Arctic regions. 



Adult. — Resembles the Lesser Snow Goose in the color of the 

 plumage, but is somewhat larger in its measurements. Average 

 total length, 34 inches; wing, 17^*^; tarsus, 3^%; culmen, 2^^. 

 The average difference between the Greater and Lesser Snow 

 Geese as given in Ridgway's " Manual " is, total length, 9 inches; 

 wing, \-^-q\ culmen, \\ tarsus, y'^. 



From these measurements it will be perceived that it would be 

 practically hopeless to try to originate any method for accu- 

 rately separating these birds, for a specimen of the Lesser Snow 

 Goose might be found larger than one of its supposed big 

 "brothers." 



Downy Young. — Lores, dusky. Two black stripes from bill, 

 passing above and beneath the eye. Top of head, dark olive 

 brown. Sides of head, neck, and entire under parts, light yellow. 

 Upper parts, dark olive brown. Bill, black; nail, yellowish 

 white. Specimen in Academy of Natural Sciences, procured loth 

 July, 1S93, at Glacier Valley, Greenland, together with the adult 

 female; Lieutenant Peary's Expedition. 



