340 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Gulf of Mexico. The Nearctic form of the White-fronted Goose, 

 only subspecifically distinct. Typical examples are distinguished 

 by their large size, much darker wing coverts, and greater amount 

 of black on the underparts. A. cinereus, a British species, to 

 which the present Goose and its several forms are most nearly 

 related. 



Time during which the White-fronted Goose may be 

 taken. — August I St to March ist. 



Habits. — Remarkably little of any value has been recorded 

 concerning the economy of the White-fronted Goose. It is by 

 no means common in our islands, but here its habits are certainly 

 very similar to those of the aUied Geese. Unfortunately it is a 

 rare bird in India, and Hume has little to tell us of its habits there 

 in winter. Captain Shelley, however, remarked its abundance 

 in Egypt during the cold season, where it remains until March, 

 usually in flocks. They visit their feeding grounds with great 

 regularity, taking one particular line of flight each day, and 

 frequenting certain places, but if shot at soon quit the 

 neighbourhood altogether. The birds that Hume obtained in 

 India had been feeding on wild rice and tender shoots of grass 

 or corn. The note of this Goose is said to be rather more harsh 

 and cackling than that of the preceding species, hence the bird's 

 name in India and other districts of " laughing " Goose. 



Nidification. — Von Middendorff met with this Goose 

 breeding in great numbers on the tundras of the Taimyr penin- 

 sula, the most northerly land of Continental Asia, and states that 

 the nest was built on a grass-covered mound. It was simply a 

 hollow on the top of a mound lined with plenty of down from 

 the body of the female. Dall, in Alaska, describes nests he 

 found on the banks of the Yukon as depressions in the sand, 

 but this was probably before the full clutch of eggs vvere laid 

 and no down been added ; for MacFarlane discovered nests on 

 the Anderson River warmly made of dry grass and well lined 

 with down and feathers. The eggs are from five to seven in 

 number, but ten have been found, creamy white in colour, and 

 measure on an average 3'o inches in length by 2-0 inches in 

 breadth. The period of incubation is unknown. Doubtless 

 only one brood is reared in the year. 



