ANSERIN/E — THE GEESE — ANSER. 451 



frequently seen in the northern districts of Siberia, where Middendorff speaks of it 

 us the most cimiiuou species found breedins; on the Taimyr. It also occurs in China 

 and .Japan. 



In its general habits this Goose appears to be in no wise different from our com- 

 mon Xearctic form, A. Gnmbeli. It flies in wedge-shaped flocks, frequently uttering 

 a loud ;uid luu-sh cry, which may be heard at a considerable distance. These flocks 

 are said to be generally on the wing just before sunrise and siuisct, and they are very 

 regular in their movements, taking the same line of flight, and feeding at the same 

 spot each day ; they may in consequence be readily obtained by lying in wait for 

 them. When once flred iipou, the flock usually leaves the neighl>orhood. This bird 

 prefers low damp districts to the uplands, and may more frequently be found in 

 localities where aquatic plants grow than in cultivated fields. Mr. St. John states 

 that it is frequently seen off the coasts of England and Scotland in severe weather, and 

 also in marshy districts and grass-fields. It arrives in jMorayshire earlier than the 

 other species of Geese, but is never seen there in flocks of more than eight or ten 

 individuals. This Goose feeds almost exclusively on vegetable matters ; and Mr. 

 Jlacgillivray states that a specimen sent to liim from Northumberland had its stomach 

 filled with the tender shoots and leaves of the common clover, on which it had been 

 feeding after a severe snow-storm. Like the other species, it breeds near fresh-water 

 or salt pools not immediately on the coast, and makes a large nest on the ground, 

 warmly lined with down. The eggs are from four to six in number, are yellowish 

 white in color, and measure about 3.12 inches in length by 2-13 in breadth. 



The American " White-fronted," or " Laughing, Goose " is a resident, during the 

 summer months, in high Arctic regions, migratory in the spring and fall, and in the 

 winter diffused over all the southern portions of North America, being more abun- 

 dant in the central and western regions, and comparatively rare on the Atlantic 

 coast. 



According to Mr. Boardman, it is of occasiomil occurrence near Calais. One was 

 procured at St. Stephen that had flown against the flag-staff, and had^thus become 

 disabled. It is rarely seen in ^Massachusetts, altliough individuals are occasionally 

 brought to the markets which have Ijeeu taken on Cape Cod. Mr. Giraud speaks of 

 this bird as being exceedingly rare on Long Island. A single specimen is mentioned 

 as having been shot near Babylon, and given to the New York Lyceum. 



On the Pacific coast it is more abundant. Dr. Cooper mentions having seen flocks 

 of this species at Los Angeles in December, 1860. It is also given by Mr. E. Browne 

 as one of the birds of Vancouver Island. Captain Bendire mentions it as abundant 

 in Oregon during migrations, and the first to arrive in the fall. 



Dr. Pickering, in his Notes taken when naturalist of the W^ilkes Expedition, men- 

 tions the occurrence of immense numbers of Geese of various species on the coast of 

 California and Oregon, in the month of April, and subsequently in October. He 

 calls particular attention to the abundance of this species in that region, and says 

 that the Geese are usually seen either flying in lines — generally bifurcating from a 

 point, but frequently irregular — or walking on the ground in search of food. 



Mr. Peale, referring to this species, states that about the middle of October vast 

 numbers of White-fronted or Laughing Geese arrive in Oregon and California from 

 the north. They are generally found on moist prairies, and feed almost entirely on 

 grass. None were seen that were black anywhere, except in patches on the breast. 



Mr. E. Adams, in his Notes on the Birds observed on the Coast of Norton Sound 

 (" Ibis," 1878), speaks of this Goose as arriving there as early as the 23d of April, 

 but not becoming abundant until the first week in ]\Iay. They did not congregate 



