170 



GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



SNOW GOOSE {Chen hyperbo7-eus hyperboreus). 

 Common or local names: White Goose; Mexican Goose. 



Length. — 23 to 28 inches. 



Adult. — Plumage white; head and fore parts sometimes rusty; primaries 

 black; bill dark red or salmon pink, black-edged; iris dark brown; feet 

 red. 



Young.- — Head, neck and upper parts grayish; rump paler; under parts 

 white; bill and feet dark. 



Field Marks. — In the field this species is indistinguishable from the suc- 

 ceeding species. Both are white, showing black wing tips. The young 

 appear white below, with grayish heads and necks. AVhen flying high 

 in migration the movement of the wings is often barely perceptible. 



Notes. — A solitary softened honk (Elliot). 



Season. — Usually a rare or accidental fall migrant; early October to De- 

 cember. 



