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HUTCHINS' GOOSE. 



>Anser Hutchinsii, Richardson. 

 PLATE CCCLXX VII.— Adult. 



Although it was not my good fortune while in the State of Maine, or on 

 the coast of Labrador, to meet with this bird, I have no doubt that its 

 periodical appearance along our eastern coast will ere long be fully established. 

 This is the more to be expected as Dr. Richardson informs us that it is 

 abundant about Hudson's Bay, where it was long mistaken for the Brent, or 

 an emaciated Canada Goose. In the mean time, having been presented with 

 a specimen by my highly esteemed and gallant friend Captain James Clark 

 Ross, I have embraced the opportunity thus offered, of laying before you a 

 representation, the first I believe that has yet appeared, of Hutchins' 

 Goose. 



For fifteen months, rendered trebly long and wearisome by heavy and 

 difficult marches, under the most distressing feelings, that most amiable and 

 accomplished traveller carried with him many specimens of rare birds, with 

 the view of contributing to the advancement of our knowledge. Would, 

 reader, that you could sympathize with me in the feelings of pride and 

 pleasure with which 1 call him friend. May his name be as extensively 

 known as his worth deserves! 



Some weeks after my drawing was finished, and when I had arrived in 

 Edinburgh, I had the gratification of receiving a long and most interesting 

 letter from him, of which I present you with an extract. "I have very 

 great pleasure in having it now in my power to offer to your acceptance the 

 specimen of this interesting species from which your drawing was taken. It 

 was the child of my solicitude, and my constant companion during a long 

 and tedious journey, after the abandonment of our ship, until our being 

 received on board the Isabella, an interval of fifteen months; and this will 

 account in a great measure for the miserable plight in which the specimen 

 first came into your hands. I will dispose of it according to your wishes, 

 and am most happy to place it in the hands of one who knows so well how 

 to appreciate the interesting associations connected with it. 



"These birds arrived in flocks about the middle of June, in the neighbour- 

 hood of Felix Harbour, and soon dispersed in pairs to their breeding place. 



