ANSEKIN.E — TIIK GEESIO — CHEN. 443 



years a tame Suow Goose, whicli mated with a eommoii tame bird ; lint the eggs 

 were unproductive. 



According to Middendortf the Snow (ioose occurs in Siberia, whence it extends its 

 movements to the extreme nortli. iVfr. Dresser also states that tliis bird is found 

 quite regularly in the eastern portion of European Eussia. It has also been met 

 with in Japan; but is not known to have been seen either iu Great Britain or in 

 Scandinavia. It- is believed to have been taken on several occasions in Germany. 

 According to Xaumann, consideralile flocks have been known to jjass through Silesia. 

 Bechstein mentions the occurrence of a large flock on the 13th of January, 1792, pass- 

 ing over the Thiiringerwald. A single specimen is reported to have been taken in 

 France in 18l'9. It is also said to occur in Greece. 



Dr. Deglaud — as quoted by Mr. Dresser — states that Snow Geese are common 

 in Cuba from October to April. In October, 1845, two of these birds came to a pond 

 on which some tame Geese were swimming, and were shot. He adds that when the 

 Cienaga de Zapata begins to dry up, portions are covered with Snow Geese, and that 

 he had killed at least thirty of them iu one season. Dr. JMerrill mentions this species 

 as quite common during winter on the western coast of Texas. 



]\fr. JMacFarlane describes these Geese as being very numerous at Fort Anderson 

 aboxit May 25, flying northward, but being afterward di-iven back by the severity 

 of the weather. The nests of these birds were discovered on a small island in a lake 

 near Liverpool Bay. They were in holes in the sandy soil, and were well lined 

 with down. i\Ir. Dali found these birds common on the Yukon in the spring. Their 

 Indian name is Hohkol. or Great White Bird. They arrive about ilay 9, flying from 

 the south up the river, but only stojj to feed in the marshes during the night. They 

 do not breed in the vicinity of the Yukon, nor do they return iu the fall l)y the same 

 route by which they came. They have all gone by May 30. 



Examples of this species were also procured at Fort Eesolution by Mr. Kennicott, 

 near Fort Simpson by JSIr. B. E. Eoss, and at Fort Eae by JMr. Clarke. 



In a paper of the late Mr. E. Adams on the Birds of Michalaski, Alaska (" Ibis," 

 1878), the first arrival of the Snow Goose on Norton Sound is noted as having taken 

 place on the 9th of May. During the two following days this bird was constantly 

 passing over in large flocks of from one hundred to three hundred, an immense num- 

 ber thus arriving. After tlxat time only a few stragglers were seen. The flocks 

 followed one another with great rapidity, and as soon as one large body disappeared, 

 another was seen advancing. In this manner — as he was assured — they pass every 

 j-ear. and all return about the end of September ; at each season, with the exception 

 of a few stragglers, being seen for only three days. ISTone of the other kinds of 

 Geese were seen in such numbers as this was, nor was any other species so regular in its 

 flight. This bird generally passes over at a considerable height, and seldom alights 

 except at night ; but the stragglers flew exceptionally low, and were easily shot. 

 Every bird seemed to be in full pliunage and in good condition, \mt none remained 

 to breed. 



The smaller form probably does not differ as to its general habits and other 

 characteristics from the larger. But little is known as to its distribution and 

 history. According to Dr. Cooper it appears to be rather common in California in 

 the winter. In company with the Snow Goose it frequents the plains, and is said to 

 have very similar habits ; at least nothing distinctive has been observed. This bird 

 is much less abundant than the Snow Goose ; but a considerable number arc brought 

 to market every winter, and they are known in the markets of San Francisco as the 

 "White Brant," on account of their smaller size. 



