"i9H J General Notes. 273 



8-16, 1910) and Matagorda, Texas (Dec. 20-23, 1910) but only one small 

 flock was seen at Rockport (Dec. 25). Thus it appears that the center of 

 abundance of Snow Goose on the Gulf Coast is southwestern Louisiana. 

 Like the Blue Goose it decreases rapidly to the eastward (though not so 

 abruptly) and diminishes more gradually westward and southward along 

 the Texas coast. So far as the Louisiana coast is concerned, the ranges of 

 these two species are complementary. The Blue Goose has its stronghold 

 in the eastern section, the Snow Goose in the west, and they occupy the 

 intervening territory in numbers inversely proportional to the distance 

 from the center of abundance. 



The same general law that appears to govern the distribution of these 

 two species applies also to the White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons gam- 

 beli). The only place on the Gulf Coast where this species is abundant is 

 Gum Cove, La. Small numbers were seen at Cameron, and according 

 to the testimony of hunters the species is rare at Vermillion Bay and the 

 Delta. Only small numbers occur on the Texas coast. 



Each of the three species above mentioned has its center of abundance, 

 to the eastward and westward of which it becomes less numerous, the 

 decrease in numbers being most abrupt to the eastward. This law does 

 not apply to the Canada Geese, except perhaps to the smaller ones proba- 

 bly typical of the subspecies hutchinsi. These little geese equal their 

 larger relatives in numbers at Gum Cove, La., and Galveston, Texas. 

 They were not noted at Vermillion Bay or the Mississippi Delta, La., and 

 occur in reduced numbers further south (than Galveston) along the Texas 

 coast. The large Canada Goose is abundant in suitable places from 

 Rockport, Texas, at least to Dickerson Bay, Fla. As it is rare along the 

 Atlantic coast from South Carolina southward, practically all of the Gulf 

 Coast birds must be of Mississippi valley origin. Other facts point to the 

 inference that western Florida gets the bulk of its waterfowl via the Miss- 

 issippi valley. One especially striking instance is the occurrence of Marila 

 collaris, a rare bird on the south Atlantic Coast, as the most important 

 game duck in certain parts (such as Micanopy) of northwestern peninsular 

 Florida. 



A wandering Blue Goose which the writer was fortunate enough to get 

 on St. Vincent Id., Fla., November 1, 1910, was perhaps following this 

 waterfowl trail. It has the distinction of being the second Florida speci- 

 men recorded. 



Other noteworthy records are: 



Mergus serrator. Two specimens taken at Rockport, Texas, Dec. 29, 

 1910. 



Clangula clangula americana. Lake Surprise, Texas, Dec. 10, 1910; 

 Rockport, Texas, Dec. 29, 1910. 



Harelda hyemalis. Lake Surprise, Texas, Dec. 15, 1910. Second 

 specimen from the State. 



Branta bernicla glaucogastra. A specimen in Rockport, Texas, mounted 

 by Andrew Sorenson, and said by him to be the only one ever known to be 

 taken there, furnishes the first record of the species for the State. 



