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HUTCHINS'S GOOSE. 



Anser Hutchinsii, Richardson. 

 PLATE CCLXXVII. Adult. 



In the first article in this volume, that of the Canada Goose, in which I 

 have described the habits of that bird at considerable length, I had occa- 

 sion to aUude to a small species called by the gunners of Maine the Winter 

 or Flight Goose, which they described to me as resembling the large and 

 common kind in almost every particular except its size. Although it was 

 not my good fortune while there to meet with the bird spoken of by men 

 who were well acquainted with it, I have no doubt that it is the very species 

 which has been named in honour of Mr Hutchins, and that its periodical 

 appearance along our eastern coast wiU ere long be fully estabhshed. This 

 is the more to be expected as; Dr Richaedson informs us that it is abun- 

 dant about Hudson's Bay, where it was long mistaken for the Brent, or an 

 emaciated Canada Goose. In the mean time, having been presented with 

 a specimen of the bird in question by my highly esteemed and gallant 

 friend Captain James Clark Ross, I have embraced the opportunity thus 

 offered, of laying before you a representation, the first I believe that has 

 yet appeared, of Hutchins's Goose. 



For fifteen months, rendered trebly long and wearisome by heavy and 

 difficult marches, under the most distressing feelings, that most amiable 

 and accomplished traveller, carried with him many specimens of rare birds, 

 with the view of contributing to the advancement of our knowledge. 

 Would, Reader, that you could sympathize with me in the feehngs of 

 pride and pleasure with which I call him friend. May his name be as 

 extensively known as his worth deserves ! 



Some weeks after my drawing was finished, and when I had arrived 

 in Edinburgh, I had the gratification of receiving a long and most inte- 

 resting letter from him, of which I present you with an extract. " I 

 have very great pleasure in having it now in my power to offer to your 

 acceptance the specimen of this interesting species from which your draw- 

 ing was taken. It was the child of my solicitude, and my constant com- 

 panion during a long and tedious journey, after the abandonment of 

 our ship, until our being received on board the Isabella, an interval of 



