212 University of California Publications in Zoology (Vou. 17 
It was conspicuously present in both sexes, and even in the single 
immature female; in only one specimen (no. 27575) was it absent. 
In the common white-fronted goose the eyelid is dark brown. 
Another character that may be noted is the number of tail 
feathers. Of the six males of the larger race at hand, four have 
eighteen tail feathers each, and the two which have a lesser number 
appear to be molting or to have had tail feathers shot away. The 
four females have each sixteen remiges. Of the series of the smaller 
race, male and female alike have sixteen tail feathers. Of twenty 
specimens examined none has more. 
In the two lots of birds examined, we thus find differences of size, 
color of plumage, number of tail feathers, and in the character of the 
eye-ring. There seems to be no question but that the series are rep- 
resentative of two distinct subspecies at least. In fact, to anyone 
handling the birds in the flesh, the differences between the two are 
obvious beyond dispute. Granting, then, the existence of two races, 
the question arises as to the proper names to be applied to them. 
The American white-fronted goose has long been known as Anser 
albifrons gambecli Hartlaub. It would seem at first thought that the 
more common North American species (and evidently one of these 
two species is much more common than the other, in California at 
least) should be the one to bear this name, but careful consideration 
of the question makes it seem doubtful that this is the correct inter- 
pretation of the facets. 
Hartlaub’s description (1852, p. 7) of Anser albifrons gambeli 
reads as follows: 
ANSER GAMBELLI, Nob.—(Notice provisoire.)—Synon. Anser albifrons Americ. 
septentr. 
Nous avons examiné trois exemplaires de cette espéce d’Oie, dont deux pro- 
venaient du Texas et 1’un du sud de 1’Amérique du nord. Ce dernier est presque 
adulte; les deux du Texas sont des jeunes. L’énorme grosseur et la forme 
différente du bee nous force de séparer cette espéce de notre albifrons. Voici les 
dimensions comparatives: 
A. GAMBELLI A. ALBIFRONS 
TWomeaibes POStri cay che peree te senaceteee eee 2s GAL Oar 
TACIT Cb: eeseteueesusestesee av 4r"u LS Bi 
Altitud. rostri later i ile rte OMA, 
Circumferent. rostri (ad! bas? cesses Gi PH eae A 
Longit. tars. PET eyo ee Ply ESB, 
Diowmedye PA (en Oa 
Le congrés des ornithologistes, 4 Berlin, en 1851, a approuvé la séparation 
spécifique de cette Oie américaine. 
