NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



97 



170. BOSS'S SNOW GOOSE. Chen rossii (Cassin.) Geog. Dist. In summer 

 Arctic America, migrating south in winter to southern California and eastward to 

 Montana. 



There is nothing known of the habits, nests and eggs of this boreal species. 



L171.] WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albifrons (Gm.) Geog. Dist. 

 Northern parts of Eastern Hemisphere and Greenland. 



The White-fronted Goose of the Old World, which very closely resembles the 

 American species, is distributed in its migrations throughout various sections of 

 Europe, but is more abundant in the eastern than in the western portions. Said to 

 extend its migrations into Central Africa, almost to the equator. It breeds near the 

 coast line of the Arctic Ocean in Europe and Asia, and also on the lakes, larger 

 rivers, bays and inlets. There is no difference between the general habits of this 

 species and those of the American bird. It nests on the ground, in the immediate 

 vicinity of water, making a large structure of sticks and hay which is lined with 

 down. The eggs are from four to six in number, yellowish-white in color, and 

 measure about 3.10x2.05. 



[171. 1.] BEAN GOOSE. Anser fabalis (Lath.) Geog. Dist. Northern Asia, 

 eastward into Northern Europe and Northern Africa. Accidental in Greenland. 



The Bean Goose is an inhabitant of Northern Asia and Northern Europe. It is 

 the A n*er seyetum of Pennant. A winter visitant to Great Britain, and is said to 

 breed on some of the Hebrides. It breeds in Northern Europe, and was found nesting 

 by Hewitson on islands of the Norwegian sea, near the Arctic circle. The nests were 

 simply hollows in the ground, usually in elevated portions of the islands; they were 

 lined with rank grasses and sedges. The eggs are from five to eight in number, of a 

 dull greenish color and their average size is 3.27x2.27 inches. This Goose is suc- 

 cessfully bred in confinement and the description and size of the eggs here given 

 are from specimens from that source. 



171a. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser alMfrons gambeli 

 (Hartl.) Geog. Dist. North America, breeding far northward; in winter, south to 

 Mexico and Cuba. 



Often called "Laughing Goose." It is of large size and robust form, may be 

 known by its -hite forehead and spotted breast. A very handsome bird and a 

 favorite with sportsmen. Large numbers are often killed on the lakes and reservoirs 

 in spring and fall. The White- 

 fronted Goose is common throughout 

 the whole of North America, but is 

 more abundant on the Pacific coast 

 than in the interior or along the At- 

 lantic. It flies in V-shaped flocks, 

 frequently uttering a loud, harsh 

 cry, which may be heard at a con- 

 siderable distance. This species 

 breeds in high latitudes and is par- 

 ticularly abundant in Alaska, nest- 

 ing in large numbers along the 

 Yukon river, laying its eggs in de- 

 pressions in the sand. Said to breed 

 also on Stuart's Island and other 

 islands along the coast. Its favorite 

 resorts are in the vicinity of fresh- 

 water lakes. Along the Lower An- 

 derson river, on the Arctic coast and 

 on the islands of the Arctic Sea this 

 species breeds in abundance in June 

 and July. The nests are made in a 

 depression of the ground, and made 

 of hay, feathers and down. Dr. 



17la. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. 



8 



