381 



It is found in China and Japan ; for Mr. Swinhoe states that it is found in the Shanghai 

 market in winter, and (Ibis, 1875, p. 456) that it has been obtained at Hakodadi. 



It appears to me very doubtful if the American form of White-fronted Goose (Anser gambeli) 

 should stand as a distinct species ; and, unfortunately, I have not been able to collect together a 

 sufficiently large series of specimens to decide this question. The only character on which a 

 specific distinction can be based is the size of the bill, that of Anser gambeli being, it is alleged, 

 always much larger than that of Anser albifrons. I find, however, that, in the specimens of 

 Anser albifrons which I have examined, the bill varies not a little in size, and in one or two it is 

 but little smaller than that of a typical Anser gambeli. Dr. Elliott Coues, who has had a better 

 opportunity of comparing specimens than myself, says (B. of N. W. p. 547) that " the ordinary 

 variation in either case is as great as the difference supposed to distinguish the two species ; and, 

 moreover, the bills of some American specimens are no longer than those of some European ones. 

 A slight average discrepancy, therefore, is probably all that can fairly be said to exist." This 

 large-billed form of our White-fronted Goose inhabits the whole of North America, breeding in 

 the far northern districts, migrating southward in the winter, at which season it is found at least 

 as far south as Texas, where I have shot it. It is also said to occur in Cuba. 



In habits the White-fronted Goose appears to differ but little from its allies the Bean-Goose 

 and Grey Lag ; but it is said to prefer low, damp districts to the uplands, and seems to be more 

 frequently seen in localities where there are aquatic grasses than in the corn- and stubble-fields. 

 It is often seen on our coasts and rivers during severe weather, and in marshy districts and 

 grass-fields. Mr. St. John says that it appears in the lower parts of Morayshire earlier than the 

 other species, and is never seen in large flocks, but in companies of from eight to ten individuals, 

 and appears to be wholly graminivorous. When undisturbed it usually passes the night in any 

 grass-field where it may have been feeding in the afternoon. 



This Goose feeds almost exclusively on vegetable matter. Mr. Macgillivray says that a 

 specimen sent to him from Alnwick, in Northumberland, had its stomach gorged with the tender 

 shoots and leaves of the common clover, upon which it was feeding on the breaking-up of a severe 

 snow-storm. It is said by several authors to feed also to some slight extent on insects; and 

 Naumann states that he has more than once found remains of a large beetle intermixed with 

 the vegetable substances in the stomachs of specimens killed and examined. 



This Goose breeds, like its allies, near freshwater or salt pools not immediately on the coast, 

 and makes a tolerably large nest on the ground, in which it deposits four or six eggs, which are 

 well bedded in down. I possess several eggs taken in Greenland which are yellowish white in 

 colour, and measure from 3^- - by l^y inch to 3^ by 2-^ inches. 



The specimens figured are the adult and young birds above described, and are in my own 

 collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 

 a, d ad. Moscow, October (Dr. Stader). b,juv. Caspian (Dr. Stader). c, 6 ad. El Snober, Syria (Schluter). 



