WILD FOWL. 73 



ing to Mr. Audubon, ' it passes through the interior of the 

 Southern and Western States during winter, as well as along 

 the coast from Massachusetts to Texas ; and is said to pass 

 through the interior of the fur countries in large flocks to its 

 breeding places, which are the woody districts to the north of 

 the seventy-seventh parallel, and also the islands of the Arctic 

 Sea.' " — Giraud's Birds of Long Island. 



THE SNOW GOOSE. 



Anas Hyperhoreus ; Wils. Anser Hyperhoreus ; Bonap. Snow 

 Goose; Nuttall. Anser Hyperhoreus, Snow Goose; Sw. Sf Rich. 



" Specific Character. — Bill and feet caiTnine ; plumage pure 

 white ; fore part of head tinged with yellowish-red ; prima- 

 ries brownish-gray — toward the end, blackish-brown. Length 

 thirty-one inches and three-quarters, wing fifteen. Female mea- 

 sures about six inches less. Young with the head and upper 

 part of the neck and wing coverts, grayish-white ; lower part 

 of neck, fore part of back, fore part of breast and sides, black- 

 ish-gray ; hind part of back, and upper tail coverts, ash-gray ; 

 abdomen grayish-white — secondaries margined with the same ; 

 bill flesh-color. 



" With us the occurrence of this bird is not frequent. Occa- 

 sionally the young are seen exposed for sale in the New-York 

 markets, though rarely the adult. In some seasons, small par- 

 ties are seen on the South Bay, and now and then stragglers 

 are seen flying in company with the Canada Geese. The white- 

 ness of their plumage renders them very conspicuous, and when 

 opportunity offers, are always singled out by the gunners. 



" ' The Snow Goose breeds in the barren grounds of Arctic 

 America in great numbers. It feeds on rushes and insects, and 

 in autumn on berries. When well fed, it is a very excellent 

 bird — far superior to the Canada Goose, both in juiciness and 

 flavor. 



*' ' The Snow Geese make their appearance in spring, a few 



