446 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSEEES. 



return south, was also luikuowu. They were rarely seen on the coast of Hudson's 

 Bay south of 59° north. 



Mr. Bernard H. Koss mentions the fact that the Slave Lake Indians recognize the 

 differenco between this species and botli the albatus and the hyjperboirus, it being said 

 to arrive from the soutli later than the former, and earlier than the latter. 



A large number of individuals of this species were taken at Fort Resolution in 

 May, 1860, by Mr. Kennicott, and in ^lay, 1863 and 1865, by Mr. J. Lockhart. 



Mr. Blakiston ("Ibis," 1878) refers to a smaller White Goose mixed with the 

 flocks of A. hypcrboveus in Japan, which he refers to "A. albatus" but which may have 

 been this species. Its local name was Ko-hakugan. 



Captain Bendire mentions the procuring a single specimen of this Goose on Silver 

 Eiver in Eastern Oregon, April 12, 1876, but considered it a very rare species there. 

 It had been sliot by Sergeant Kennedy out of a flock of twelve, and weighed two and 

 three fourths pounds. Its note was said to be quite different from that of the Snow 

 Goose. Other examples have been taken in Marin Co. and in other parts of Cali- 

 fornia, where its presence, however, is exceptional and rare. 



Dr. James 0. ]\Ierrill informs me that this Goose is by no means uncommon about 

 Fort ^Missoula, in Montana Territorj-. 



Mr. L. Belding, of Stockton, Cal., writes us as follows concerning this species : 

 •■' Usually associates with other Geese when in the San Joaquin Valley, especially 

 C. hyperborem, and when flying individuals are sometimes scattered through a flock, 

 or, as is often the case, congregated on one side or other portions of it. I once saw 

 about a hundred of these Geese in a separate flock, flying very high, and going nortli- 

 ward, the species being determined by its cry, which somewhat resembles that of the 

 small ' Cackling Goose ' (B. canadensis leucopareia). In November and December, 1880, 

 it was quite as abundant in the Stockton market as C. hyperboreus — owing, I suppose, 

 to its tameness." Specimens of C. Itossi were observed at Stockton by l\Ir. Belding 

 as early as Oct. 6, 1880, and by the loth they became common. Mr. Belding further 

 remarks that "the flesh of C. Boss!, unlike that of Geese generally, is excellent 

 food." 



Genus ANSER, Beisson. 



Anser, Bri.«s. Orn. I. 1760 (type, Anas a-iiscr, LiNX., =••/. cincreus, Metek). 



This genus differs from Clien chiefly in the form of the bill, which is much less robust, more 

 depressed terminally, the nails tbinner and less arolied, the touiia less divergent, etc. In fact, the 

 bill of some species is quite identical in form with that of the larger species of Bernida {canadensis 

 and HutcMnsi). The type of the genns, A. cinereus, Meyer, has the bill decidedly appro.ximating 

 to that of Chen, the commissure gaping quite widely. But one species occurs in America, the com- 

 mon "White-fronted Gocse {Anser Ganibdi, Hartlaub). The same species occurs also in Europe 

 in a representative form — the A. alhifrons, Gmel. The difference between them is chiefly one 

 of size, the American bird being decidedly the larger. Another European species or race resem- 

 bhng .4. alhifrons, but much smaller, seems to bear to the latter about the same relation which 

 Bernida Hutchinsi or B. lencoparia do to B. canadensis. The following measurements from a con- 

 siderable series of specimens will serve to show the comparative size of the three birds : — 



Wing. Culnien. Deiithofmax. Widtliofmax. Tarsus. Middle t"e. 



at base. at base. 



1. A. Gombeli, 14.25-17.50 1.80-2.35 .90-1.20 .85-1.05 2.60-3.20 2.35-3.00 



2. A. alhifrons, 14.75-16.00 1.60-1.75 .90 .80-0.85 2.25-2.80 2.20-2.50 

 S. A. minutus, 13.25-15.00 1.15-1.35 .65-0.70 .70-0.75 2.O0-2.50 2.00-2.15 



