74 BRITISH BIRDS. WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



frequently been confounded by naturalists with the young of the latter ; they are 

 certainly closely allied forms, but, considering the evidence, little doubt can be 

 entertained of their specific distinction. The young of C. hyperboreiis are four 

 years in assuming the plumage of the adults. 



According to Richardson (Fauna Boreali, Americana), the Snow-Geese breed 

 in great numbers in the wilds of Arctic America, on the shores of rivers and lakes ; 

 the young can fly by the middle of August, and they leave for the south a month 

 later. 



It was found in 1879 ky tne "Vega" expedition, in June, on the shores of 

 Tchuski Land. On the American coast of the Arctic and Bering's Sea, it is not 

 abundant, occurring, however, in considerable flocks, for a few days in the spring 

 and autumn migrations. 



Pennant ("Arctic Zoology," 1785) says they leave the settlement at Hudson's 

 Bay " about the loth of October, flying very high, southward to pass the winter. 

 They come in flocks of thousands ; quite cover the country, rise in clouds, and 

 with an amazing noise. They visit Carolina in vast flocks ; and feed on the 

 roots of sedge and grass, which they tear up like hogs." 



In "The Zoologist," 1862, p. 7831, there is a reprint, taken from the 

 " Canadian Naturalist," for October, 1861, of a paper read before the Montreal 

 Natural History Society, by Mr. George Barnston, of the Hudson's Bay Company, 

 on the Swans and Geese of Hudson's Bay. Mr. Barnston, during his residence 

 in the Company's Stations, had unusual opportunities of practical observation, in 

 connection with the migratory Swans and Geese. He says : " The Snow-Goose, 

 although it plays a less conspicuous part in the interior of the country, where it 

 seldom alights, except along the margin of the larger lakes and streams, becomes 

 from its consolidated numbers, the first and greatest object of sport after the 

 flocks alight in James's Bay. The havoc spread throughout their ranks increases 

 as the season advances, and their crowds thicken, and even the Indian becomes 

 fatigued with the trade of killing. In the fall of the year, when the flocks of 

 young ' wewais,' or ' wavies,' * as they are called, are numerous and on the wing 

 between the low tide-mark and the marshes, or are following the line of coast 

 southerly, it is no uncommon occurrence for a good shot, between sunrise and 

 sunset, to send to his lodge, about a hundred head of game." 



" These ' wavies ' or White Geese, form the staple article of food as rations 

 to the men in James's Bay, and are the latest in leaving the coast for southern 

 climes, an event which takes place towards the end of the month of September, 

 although some weak broods and wounded birds linger behind until the first or 



* Native "wawa" Goose. 



