CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (ANSER ALBIFRONs). 

 The " Brant/' amongst Western sportsmen. 



Adult male : Bill shorter than the head, much 

 higher than broad at the base, somewhat conical, 

 depressed towards the end, rounded at the tip. 



Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed. 

 Neck rather long and slender. Body full, slightly 

 depressed. Feet rather short, strong, placed rather 

 behind the centre of the body ; legs bare a little 

 above the joint ; tarsus rather short, a little com- 

 pressed, covered all round with angular reticulated 

 scales, which are smaller behind. 



Plumage close, full, compact above, blended on 

 ths neck and lower part of the body, very short 

 on the head. Feathers of the head and neck very 

 narrow, on the latter part disposed in oblique 

 series separated by grooves ; of the back very 

 broad and abrupt ; of the breast and belly broadly 

 rounded. Wings rather long and broad. Tail 

 very short, rounded, of sixteen broad, rounded 

 feathers. 



241 



