OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 313 



Subfamily ANSERIN/E, or Geese. 



The birds included in the present subfamily are distinguished from their allies 

 by the absence of a cere, having the lores covered with feathers and the metatarsus 

 reticulated all round. They are further distinguished from the Swans by their 

 longer metatarsus (longer than the middle toe) and much shorter neck ; whilst 

 from the Ducks, their short, robust, sub-conical (and in many cases higher than 

 broad at the base) bill is an additional distinction. The sexes are nearly alike in 

 colour. 



This subfamily is divisable into about half-a-dozen genera. 



Genus CHEN, or Snow Geese. 



Type, CHEN HYPEEBOEEUS. 



Chen, of Boie (1829).- — The birds in the present genus are characterised, 

 according to Count Salvadori, by having the serrations on the cutting edge of 

 the upper mandible visible externally for the greater part of the tomium. The 

 bill is exceptionally stout, the height through the base being equal to considerably 

 more than half the length of the culmen. The species are further characterised 

 by their white or bluish body plumage and bheir black wings. 



This genus is composed of four species and races, which are confined to the 

 Arctic regions. One of these is an abnormal migrant to the British Islands. 



The Snow Geese are inhabitants of the Arctic seas and the open tundras or 

 barren grounds in their immediate vicinity. Their habits are but little known. 

 They feed on both vegetable and animal substances. Their nests are mere 

 hollows in the ground lined with down. Their eggs are white. 



