190 ANATID^. 



The White-fronted Goose {Anser albifrons) of Canada, 

 is the same bird as that so well known as a winter visitor 

 to Great Britain, and in both countries goes also by the 

 name of the " Laughing Goose." The latter name it owes 

 to the peculiarity of its note or call, which somewhat 

 resembles the sound of laughter. The former of the 

 appellations refers to the distinguishing band and frontlet 

 of white feathers at the base of the bill and on the fore- 

 head. On this account (though generally adopting Baird's 

 nomenclature) I have rejected his name of Gambelii, as 

 the unde derivatur appears less appropriate than that of 

 Albifrons^ by which too it is more generally known. 



It appears to be very widely distributed, being equally 

 well known in Lapland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Ger- 

 many, Italy, China and Japan. In North America it 

 migrates a few days later than the Canada goose, and 

 breeds much further to the north. The eggs are a dull 

 blotchy green. 



The prevailing colour of the plumage is a brownish 

 ash; and the lower parts are barred and patched with 

 black, merging into white nearer the vent. The legs 

 and feet are orange, and the bill a flesh colour. The 

 plumage of the female is similar to that of the male — 

 which is a characteristic of the genus Anser ; but she is 

 of smaller size. The flesh is excellent. 



The Dark-fronted Goose {Anser frontalis) differs 



