LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS 



169. 



SNOW GOOSE. 

 hyperboreus. 



Chen hyperboreus 



Range. North America west of the Mississippi 

 Valley, breeding in northern Alaska and the Mac- 

 kenzie River district. 



This smaller species of the Snow Goose nests 

 on islands in rivers along the arctic coast. The 

 nest is a depression in the ground, lined with 

 grasses and, occassionally down. They lay from 

 four to eight eggs of a buffy or yellowish white 

 color. Size 2.75 xl.75. 



l69a. GREATER SNOW GOOSE. 



Chen hyperboreus nivalis. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding in 

 the Arctic regions and wintering chiefly on the 

 Atlantic coast, south to Cuba. 





Grayish White Lesser Snow Goose 



Blue Goose 



This bird is like the preceding; except in size; 



about thirty-six inches, instead of twenty-six inches in length as is the lesser 

 variety. The entire plumage is white except for the black primaries. They 

 construct their nests of grasses on the ground the same as the preceding va- 

 riety. The eggs number from five to eight and are cream colored. Size 3.40x 

 2.40. 



169.1. BLUE GOOSE. Chen ccerulescens. 



Range. North America, principally in the interior, breeding from Hudson 

 Bay northward and wintering along the Gulf coast. 



This species may always be recognized by the entirely white head and neck, 

 the body being grayish or bluish gray. They nest on the ground as do the 

 other geese laying from four to eight eggs of a brownish buff color. Size 2.50 

 xl.75. Data Cape Bathurst, Arctic coast, June 29, 1899. Four eggs laid in a 

 depression lined with grass, on an island. Collected with the parent bjrds by 

 the Esquimaux. 



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