206 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



though not on the Pacific coast. Once the Brant Goose was 

 plentiful along the Atlantic side, but it is now rare, and fast 

 disappearing. 



The American White-Fronted Goose^ is, in my opinion, 

 the most handsomely colored goose we possess. Contrary 

 to expectations that are often based upon its name, it has not 

 a white breast, nor white shoulders. It white "front" is 

 limited to an inch-wide frill of white immediately surrounding 

 the base of its bill. 



Other than this the head and the neck are dark brown, 

 and the back, sides, breast and abdomen are covered with 

 a scale-like arrangement of feathers that are various shades 

 of brown or black, strongly edged with white or gray. The 

 effect of the white edges of the feathers is to bring out in 

 strong relief the immaculate arrangement of the plumage, 

 and as a whole the bird is decidedly beautiful. 



This fine bird is even yet abundant on the Pacific coast, 

 from southern California to Alaska, where it crosses over to 

 the Asiatic side. It appears that Alaska is its favorite nest- 

 ing-ground. On the Atlantic coast it is no longer seen. The 

 specimens living in the Zoological Park were taken in southern 

 Texas, on the Rio Grande, where the species is yet a winter 

 visitant. 



The Snow Goose^ is, excepting its large wing-feathers 

 (the primaries), an all-white bird. Based on the tape line, 

 two species have been described and recognized by orni- 

 thologists, the "Greater" Snow Goose and the "Lesser." If 



^ An'ser al'bi-frons gam'bel-i. Average length, 28 inches. 

 2 Chen hy-per-ho're-a. Average length, about 30 inches. 



