DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEItK^A. 



83 



Genus ANSER Brisson. 

 ANSER ALBIFRONS QAHBELI {Haiti.). 



American While-fronted Qoose. 



AduU: Forehead and base of bill, white ; the i-est ci( the head, l)r<i\viiisli ; neck, giayisli 

 hi-own, shading into dull white in trout; under parts, Avhitish, the bi-east showino; bhu-k mark- 

 ings; back, ashy gra_y, the feathers edged with browu on the upjjer part; shafts of i|uills, 

 white; bill, pinkish or reddish or pale white; feet, yellow. 



The immature bird is similar, but shows no white on tlie base of the Ijill. or black mark- 

 iugs on the breast. 



I^ength, 28; wing, 16; bill, 2; tarsus, 2.90. 



This species occurs throughout North America, lireediiig far nortli, and 

 ranging in winter south to Mexico and Cuba. It is common in many parts of 

 the interior, but rather rare on the Atlantic coast. Tlie nest is placed on the 

 ground, and is composed of grass or ^veecls and linetl \vith down. The eggs 

 are five to seven, of pale greenish color, sometimes bro\vnish. 



The European White-fronted Goose, Anser alhifrons (Gmel.), occurs 

 m Greenland, but has not been recorded elsewhere in North America. It is 

 smaller than the American species. 



