ZOOLOGY. 251 



I obtained a single specimen of this goose at Port Townsend, Puget Sound, in January, 1857. 

 It was brought for sale, with others of the same species, by some Indians of the vicinity, who 

 had shot them on some of the neighboring prairies. My specimen I first took to be the B. 

 hutchiimi, (figured by Cassin as S. leucopareia ?J hut as the measurements seemed unusually 

 large, I determined to preserve the skin. The bird measured 34.50 inches in length, 02.50 

 in extent; wing, (from brachio-carpal joint,) 17.25. 



As I understand Mr. Cassin' s article on the A. leiicopareias of Brandt, he seems to consider 

 it identical with Hutchins goose. In this view I concur with Mr. Cassin — i. e., if the deciding- 

 point should rest in the presence or absence of the white collar and small dimensions of the bird. 

 Specimens of the Hutchins' goose were obtained bj- me at Port Stcilacoom both ivith and 

 without the white collar, which seems to be a mark peculiar to either age or condition, and 

 not specific, as birds differing in this respect were killed apparently from the same flock. 

 [For measurements of Hutchins' geese, see next species.] If the Hutchins' goose takes the 

 synonym of levcopareia, then the description at the head of this article, given hj Professor 

 Baird, will not apply to that species, and the bird critically examined by the latter — and the 

 only one of the kind in the Smithsonian collection — which was obtained by me at Port Town- 

 send, will probably be called B. occidentalism as recommended by Professor Baird. — S. 



BERNICLA HUTCHINSII, (Rich.) Bonap. 



Hutclilns* Goose. 



Aiiser hutchinsii, Rich. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 470.— Nctt. Man. II, 362.— AuD. Orn. Biog. Ill, 1835, 52G ; pi. 

 277.— IB. Syn. 271.— Ii). Birds Am. VI, 1843, 198 ; pi. 377. 



Bernkla hutchinsii, BoN. List, 1838. — Baikd, Gen. Eep. Birds, 766. 

 Sp. Ch. — Precisely similar to A. canadensis, but smaller. Tail of 16 feathers. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. 

 Length, (according to the Gen. Kep. ,S(!e beloio,) 30 inches ; wing, 15.80 ; tarsus, 2.70 ; commissure, 1.76. 

 Jlab. — Northern and western regions of North America. 



As I have stated in the notes on the preceding species, I do not consider the presence 

 or absence of the white collar as a specific character in this species, (the B. leucopareia 

 of Cassin.) 



A specimen regarded by Professor Baird as B. Hutchinsii, got by me at Fort Steilacoom, was 

 identical in habits and plumage (excepting the ring) with many others seen and obtained by 

 me in the same locality. Two of these measured less than the standard in the general report. 



Length, 27.50 inches; extent, 5G.50; wing, from carpal joint, 16.25. Another: 27.50; 

 54.50; 13.50. 



This goose is very abundant on the Nisqually plains in autumn, where, in the early part 

 of the day, their sonorous honking enlivens the senses and is an agreeable music to the ear 

 of the sportsman. At night, and also during the middle of the day, they retire in flocks to the 

 fresh water lakes in the vicinity, where, resting on the surface, they leisurely paddle about 

 or lazily sleep. The name given to this species by the Nisqually Indians is ah-hah. a name 

 which is considered to be similar to their honking cry. 



They are excellent eating, and, as they subsist almost entirely upon grass, have no fishy 

 or other disagreeable flavor.. They arrive on the Nisqually plains about October 1, and 

 continue abiindant for two months thereafter. They are also quite abundant at the same season 

 on the "tide prairies" at the mouths of the various rivers emptying into Puget Sound. — S. 



