22 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



usually known hj the names of Bernicla (or Branta) canadensis, B. 

 hutchinsi, B. leucopareia, and B. occidentalis, and under these names, the 

 last three of which, however, are united as trinomials to canadensis, they 

 are treated in detail in the recently published Water Birds of North 

 America, Vol. I, pp. 455-467. More recent investigations, however, 

 made in conjunction with Dr. Stejneger, and with considerable addi- 

 tional material, have resulted in the discovery of certain facts which 

 render some corrections necessary. These are the following: 



(1) Anser leucopareius of Brandt is an exact synonym of Anser hutch 

 insi, Swains. & Rich. 



(2) Bernicla leucopareia Baird (B. N. Am., 1858, pp. xlix, 765) is the 

 same as that author's B. occidentalis, the latter name having been given 

 in the text, under B. leucopareia, on p. 766, as a provisional name, on 

 account of a suspicion that the bird might not be the A. leucopareius of 

 Brandt. 



From consideration of these facts it appears that the very small form 

 breeding in western Alaska and migrating south to California in winter 

 is not the Anser leucopareius of Brandt nor the Bernicla leucopareia of 

 Baird, and that it requires a name. I accordingly propose for it the 

 specific name minima, on account of its very small size, some specimens 

 being less even than the brant, and the average size about the same as 

 in that species. Its principal synonymy and characters are as follows : 



Branta minima, ep. nov. Little Cackling Goose. 



Bernicla leucopareia, Cass. Illustr. B. Cal. Tex., &c., 1853, 272, pi. 45, nee Anser leuco- 

 pareius, Brandt. (California.) 



Branta canadensis, var. leucopareia, Coues, in Elliott's ''Alfairs in Alaska," 1875, 190; 

 not of Key, 1872, p. 284, which = ^. occidentalis, Baird. (Prybilov Islands.) 



Bernicla canadensis leucoparia, EiDGW. Nom. N. Am. B., 1881, No. 594 b. — CoUES, 2d 

 Check List, 1882, No. 703; 2d Key, 1884, 689. 



Bernicla canadensis, d. leucopareia, B. B. & R. Water B.N.Am., I. 1884, 456, 4.59. 



Sp. char. — Similar to B. occidentalis, Baird, but very much smaller. 

 Differing from B. hutchinsi in smaller size, especially the bill, and much 

 darker coloration. White cheek-patches usually separated by a black 

 stripe or spotting on the throat, and lower part of neck encircled by a 

 more or less distinct white collar. Lower parts dark grayish brown, 

 abruptly defined against the white of the anal region. Wing, 13.60- 

 14.25; culmen, 0.95-1.12; depth of bill at base, .60-.70; width, .52-.55; 

 tarsus, 2.40-2.60; middle toe, 1.90-1.95; rectrices, 16. 



Habitat. — Pacific coast of North America, breeding abundantly about 

 the Yukon delta and contiguous shores of Korton Sound, and migrating 

 south in winter to California. 



