EMPEROR GOOSE. 55 



month of October, usually from the 7th to the 20th, says 

 Turner, a strong north-northeast wind blows, attaining 

 at times great velocity. This has the effect of lowering 

 the waters of Norton Sound to a remarkable degree, 

 sometimes as much as eight feet below the lowest mark 

 attained. At such times the Emperor Geese visit the 

 vicinity of Stewart's and St. Michael's Islands to feed on 

 the shell fish exposed by the receded water. By the isth 

 of November they depart for the south side of the penin- 

 sula and the Aleutian Islands, arriving at Unalaska by the 

 1st of December and remaining until the next April. 

 The Russian name of this bird is Sa sar ka, which 

 means Guinea Hen, as they fancy there is a resemblance 

 in the coloring between that bird and this Goose. In 

 the Aleutian Islands it is called the Lidenna Goose, and at 

 Norton Sound it is known as the White-headed Goose. 



PHILACTE CANAGICA. 



Geographical Distribution. — Coast of Alaska, between Behr- 

 ing Sea and the Aleutian Islands. Mouth of the Yukon, possibly 

 on Siberian coast, west of Behring Straits. Commander Islands, 

 Kamchatka; casually in winter on the Pacific coast of the United 

 States as far south as Humboldt Bay, California. 



A!iutt.—Kea.i and back of neck, white. Forehead and cheeks, 

 frequently stained with rust color. Throat and fore part of neck, 

 brownish black, feathers on lower part of neck, with a small 

 white spot at tip. Back and under parts, bluish g^ray, the feath- 

 ers having a subterminal black bar and white tips, much more 

 distinct on the back than on the lower parts. Secondaries, 

 brownish black, edged with white. Primaries, blackish brown. 

 Lower back and upper tail coverts, bluish gray, the subterminal 

 bar and whitish tips indistinct. Basal half of tail, slate color, 

 remainder white. Iris, hazel. Bill, maxilla pale purplish, washed, 

 with fleshy white; nail, horn white, edges dark horn color; man- 

 dible, horn color, with white spot on each side. Membrane of 



