100 CHEN ALBATUS. 



Mr. Barnston proceeds to estimate the Geese leaving the coasts east of 

 the Rocky Mountains for their places of hibernation (exclusive of Brent 

 Geese), and puts it down at 8OO5OOO. 



As to the question of Chen hyperhoreus being distinct from Chen alhatus, 

 I think it is a matter of opinion; and though by no means wishing to be 

 positive, I incline to the idea of the unity of the two. 



The common Swan (^Cygnus olor) does not breed till the third year ; and 

 Yarrell says (1st edit. p. 119), '^in returning spring the parent birds drive 

 away from them the young brood of the previous year, and oblige them to 

 shift for themselves." How easy would it be, if we saw these for the first 

 time, to make them different species ! 



Richard A. Proctor remarks (in ' The Orbs around us,' p. 137) : — " The 

 true man of science is seldom inclined to say either ' this or that must be 

 so,' or ' this or that cannot be so.' His rule rather is to see whether the 

 imagined relation has a real existence — to compare fact with fact until the 

 reality of the relation is estabhshed or confuted." 



The skin from which the Plate is taken has now been set up in a case ; 

 and we are able to say from the state of it that the owner was not a bird 

 driven by storm, but well nourished and in fair condition. When wet, the 

 feet appear to have a tendency to red. 



If it had not been for the vigilance of Mr. Saunders, this very interesting 

 instance of the appearance of Chen albatus, Cassin, in Ireland would have been 

 passed over. Whether it is distinct from Chen hyperhoreus is a minor matter : 

 species sometimes run very closely into each other ; and opinions may 

 reasonably differ. But for my own part I should think these Geese more 

 resemble the two races of Charadrius hiaticula, which we have commonly on 

 the south coast, and which are strongly marked in differences of size, period 

 of migration, habits, &c., to which I called attention in 'The Ibis ' for 1860, 

 vol. ii. p. 10], In their case, however, authors make no disturbance of 

 unity. 



