GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 329 



Greenland and the Bermudas. The large form of the Snow 

 Goose, only subspecifically distinct. Typical examples measure 

 from 17 to i8"S inches in length of wing, instead of from 15 to 

 1 7 '5 inches, and in length of bill from 2-38 to 2-65 inches, instead 

 of from I '95 to 2'28 inches. Also A. cmrulescens and A, rossi. 



Time during which the Lesser Snow Goose may be 



taken. — August I St to March ist. 



Habits. — But little has been recorded of the habits of the 

 Lesser Snow Goose. It is a migratory bird, breeding on the 

 tundras or barren grounds above the limit of forest growth, 

 reaching its summer quarters towards the end of May, and re- 

 turning to its winter haunts in September and October. Audubon 

 proves his careful observation of this species by remarking 

 accurately enough that the young birds are the first to appear in 

 the south at least a fortnight before their parents, the latter being 

 delayed at their breeding grounds until the moult is completed. 

 During winter the Lesser Snow Goose appears seldom to stray 

 far from large sheets of water, but visits inland localities as well 

 as the coast. The food of this species consists largely of grass 

 and rushes, but ground fruits and berries are also eaten, as well 

 as insects and small mollusks. During winter this Snow Goose 

 becomes gregarious, and not only flocks with the larger race, but 

 with other kindred species. The note of this species is nowhere 

 clearly described to my knowledge. 



Nidification. — The Lesser Snow Goose breeds on the tundras 

 on the banks of the northern lakes, or on small islands in the 

 Arctic Ocean not far from the mainland. Again MacFarlane, 

 with his splendid opportunities, only records the barest details of 

 the nesting habits of this interesting bird. He says that the nests 

 were mere hollows in the sandy ground, warmly lined with down. 

 The eggs are generally five in number, dull white in colour. 

 They measure on an average 3 '4 inches in length by 2-2 inches in 

 breadth. The young can fly by the middle of August, and about 

 a month later begin their southern journey, slowly progressing as 

 the food supply begins to fail. Only one brood is reared in the 

 year. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Anser, with the primaries black, 

 and the remainder of the plumage white. Length, 23 inches. 



