193 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Anser rossii.—Ba.'ai. Ross' Goose. Homed Wavy. 



" Bill studded at the base with numerous elevated papilla." 

 Colored exactly like the Snow Goose, but much smaller ; less than 

 two feet long, the body being about the size of that of a Mallard 

 Duck. 



This is a long lost species, recently rediscovered, about which 

 little is known. It is an inhabitant of Arctic America, entering 

 the United States in winter, but apparently not in very great num- 

 bers. It has been talten near San Francisco, California, and prob- 

 ably enters the Missouri River region in winter. Of its habits 

 nothing is known. It is perhaps more abundant in the faU in the 

 Red River country than anywhere else, and shooting Wavies on 

 the little lakes with which this region is dotted, is said to be a 

 favorite amusement of the sportsmen of that section. 



Anser cceruUscens. — ^Vieillot. Blue Goose. Bald-headed Brant. 



The Blue Goose was for a long time regarded as simply the 

 young of the Snovsr Goose, which species it very closely resembles 

 in all details of form and structure. At present, however, our 

 ornithological authorities have decided that it is a perfectly good 

 species. 



The head, upper neck and tail-coverts and most of the under 

 parts white ; remaining plumage ashy grey varied vrith dark 

 brown. 



The Blue Goose, or as it is called in some parts of the West, 

 the White or Bald-headed Brant, is distributed during its migra- 

 tions over the greater portion of the United States. Like its con- 

 geners, however, it is rare on the Atlantic coast, and is found in 

 greatest abundance on the Pacific Slope, where it associates with 

 the Snow Goose and the White-fronted Goose. But httle is 

 known of its habits. 



Pkilacte canagzca. — ^Bann. Emperor Goose. Painted Goose. 

 This handsome species is confined to Alaska and the North- 

 west coast, and is scarcely, or not at all, known to sportsmen. In 

 size, it about equals the White-fronted Goose. The head, hind- 

 neck and tail are white, the former often with a wash of rusty 



