Wi.p-Goose. NATATORES. ANSER. 267 
White-fronted Goose, Br. Zool. 2. 576. No. 268. t. 94. fig. 1.—Arct. Zool. 
2. No. 476.—Lath. Syn. 6. 463, 22.—Lewin’s Br. Birds, 6. 240.— Mont. 
Orn. Dict. 1.—Bewick’s Br. Birds, ed. 1826, p. t. 294.—Shaw’s Zool. 
12. 25. 
TE White-fronted Goose is one of our regular winter visi- 
tants, and in the southern and midland parts of England 
appears, from the testimony of Monracu, to be more abun- 
dant than the preceding species; which is by no means the 
case in the northern parts of the island, being there compa- 
ratively of rare occurrence, and in small flocks. It varies 
from the Bean-Goose, in preferring low and marshy districts, 
to the upland and drier haunts of that bird; and in these 
localities subsists on the aquatic grasses, being very seldom 
seen to frequent corn or stubble fields. A specimen sent to 
me (and which was killed near Alnwick, in Northumber- 
land), had its stomach gorged with the tender shoots and 
leaves of the common clover (TJ'rifolium pratense), upon 
which it was feeding, on the breaking up of a severe snow- 
storm. In size the large males nearly equal Anser palustris, 
some of them weighing as much as seven pounds; and in 
the market are frequently sold for the common species, but 
may at once be distinguished by the white forehead, and the 
black patches, which are never totally wanting on the breast 
and belly. During its winter or equatorial migration this 
species is numerous in Holland, and also in some districts of 
France and Germany. Its geographical distribution in- 
cludes Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. In 
summer it retires within the Arctic Circle, and rears its 
young in those sequestered and tranquil regions, the nursery 
of such various tribes of the feathered race. In England 
these birds disappear on the first approach of spring, and 
some time before the departure of the Lag and Bean Geese ; 
few being ever seen after the middle of March. As an ar- 
ticle of food the White-fronted is equal to any of the others, 
its flesh being well-flavoured and tender, provided the sub- 
ject be not too far advanced in years. 
Periodical 
visitant. 
Food. 
