150 ANSERIXJS. BERNICLA. 



nary manner, so as not to form ridges and grooves. In this 

 genus the body is ovate, of nearly equal height and breadth, 

 the neck long and slender, the head small, oblong, com- 

 pressed. Bill much shorter than the head, moderately stout, 

 straight, subconical, higher than broad at the base, narrowed 

 toward the end, where its breadth does not exceed its height ; 

 upper mandible with the ridge broad and flattened at the 

 base, then convex, the dorsal line straight and declinate to 

 the unguis, which is round or broadly ovate, the edges 

 straight, denticulate with the rounded outer ends of the 

 lamellae, which are scarcely apparent from without. Mouth 

 of moderate width ; tongue, digestive organs, and trachea, 

 as in the genus Anser. Nostrils moderate, oblong, sub- 

 medial. Eyes small, eyelids feathered. Aperture of ear 

 rather small. Legs rather short., or moderate, strong, placed 

 well forward ; tibia bare for a very short space ; tarsus 

 moderately compressed, reticulated ; hind toe very small ; 

 anterior toes rather long, scaly at the base, then scutellate ; 

 membranes full ; claws small, arcuate, rather depressed, ob- 

 tuse, that of the middle toe broadly rounded. Plumage full, 

 close, firm, soft, and glossy ; feathers of the head short, of 

 the neck narrow, and blended ; wings large, of twenty-eight 

 quills ; tail short, rounded, generally of sixteen broad fea- 

 thers. 



The Bernacles inhabit the temperate and cold climates of 

 both continents in winter, and in summer betake themselves 

 to the Arctic regions, where they breed, forming their nests 

 of grass and other herbage, and laying numerous white or 

 greenish elliptical eggs. Their habits are similar to those 

 of the Geese, but they are more active, and their flesh is 

 still more highly esteemed. Although the name Bernicla, 

 first given by Mr Stephens to this genus, is barbarous, I re- 

 tain it until a better is found. 



235. BERNICLA LEUCOPSIS. WHITE-FACED BERNACLE- 

 GOOSE. 



Male twenty-seven inches long ; bill an inch and a third 

 in length, black; tarsus two inches and ten-twelfths long, 

 black ; the fore part of the head, its sides, and the throat 

 white ; hind-head and neck glossy black ; fore and hind parts 



