OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 315 



localities throughout the Palsearctic region, especially in Japan and China. It 

 winters in the United States south to Texas, and is an occasional visitor to 

 Greenland and the Bermudas. The large form of the Snow Goose, and possibly 

 only superficially distinct. Typical examples measure from 17 to 18' 5 inches in 

 length of wing, instead of from 15 to 17'5 inches, and in length of bill from 2'38 

 to 2"65 inches, instead of from 1'95 to 2"28 inches. 



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 returning to its winter haunts in September and October. 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 the Snow Goose becomes gre- 

 garious, 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. One 

 brood only is reared in the year. 



Diagnostic characters. — Chen, with the primaries black and the 

 remainder of the plumage white, with the wing 17 inches or less in length. 

 Length, 23 inches. 



