96 THE BIRDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 



the East-Asiatic specimens are a race (var. serrirostris^ Avhich, with the 

 exception of China, are to be met with to the east of Lake Baikal. It is 

 very likely that this variety inhabits also Mongolia ; but I am sorry to 

 say we have not a specimen in our collection to solve the question. 



It is the most numerous representative of this family in S.E. Mongolia, 

 whither it migrates from the beginning of March to the end of April ; whilst 

 the autumnal migration takes place from the end of August until the middle 

 of September. 



In Northern China, near Kalgan, they appear in the end of February, 

 and inhabit, together with other water-birds, the flooded fields. On a clear 

 morning early in March, flock after flock can be seen migrating towards 

 Mongolia ; but finding it cold there, these restless flocks come back again 

 towards the evening, and wait until the weather gets warmer. 



It does not breed in Mongolia, and did not come under our observation 

 either at Koko-nor, in Tsaidam, or at Lake Hanka ; but large migrating 

 flocks were noticed at Possiet Bay. 



255. Anser grandis. Pall. ? 



I think we saw Anser grandis in rather large numbers on Dalai-nor in 

 spring 1871, and on the flooded fields of the Hoang-ho valley in April of the 

 following year, although we did not succeed in obtaining a single specimen ; 

 but, by the large size and the peculiar bass voice, we could easily distinguish 

 these birds from A. segetum. 



On Lake Hanka the present species is very common during migration 

 in spring (A. grandis. Pall, nee Midd.) from the middle of March until the 

 middle of April, where they usually keep in small flocks of from three to 

 seven specimens, and only very rarely are they to be seen in company with 

 other Geese ; they are also w^ilder. Very few pairs stop to breed in the 

 Hanka basin ; and even those retire to the most desolate parts. 



