HUTCH1NS' GOOSE. 199 



At Io-loolik, the only place where we had before met with them, their nests 

 were found in the marshes near the sea; but on this occasion several pairs 

 constructed their nests on a ledge of rock near the foot of a high precipice; 

 immediately above them the Dovekies, Loons, several species of Gulls, and 

 near its summit, the Jer-Falcon and Raven, built their nests. 



"From three to four eggs were found in each nest, of a pure white, and of 

 an oval form, measuring 3.1 inch by 2.1, and weighing from 1S00 to 2000 

 grains. 



"The female bird is smaller than the male. To the measurements given 

 by Dr. Richardson, which are very accurate, we may add that its extent of 

 wings is fifty inches, and that it averages about four pounds and a half of 

 weight. Its flesh is of a most exquisite flavour." 



Anser Hutchinsii, Hutchins* Bernacle Goose, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. 



ii. p. 470. 

 Hctchins' Goose, Anser Hutchinsii, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 526. 



Adult, 25, 50. 



Breeds in the Arctic Regions. Columbia river. Abundant. 



Adult. 



Bill shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, somewhat 

 conical, depressed towards the end, rounded at the tip. Upper mandible 

 with the dorsal line sloping, the ridge slightly flattened at the base, convex 

 in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping, the edges soft, the oblique internal 

 lamellae about thirty; the unguis roundish, convex. Nasal groove oblong, 

 parallel to the ridge, filled by the soft membrane of the bill; nostrils medial, 

 lateral, longitudinal, narrow-elliptical, open, pervious. Lower mandible 

 straight, with the angle very long, narrow and rounded, the edges with 

 about forty oblique lamellae. 



Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck long and very slender. Body 

 full. Feet short, stout, placed behind the centre of the body; legs bare a 

 little above the joint; tarsus short, a little compressed, covered all round 

 with angular scales, those behind smaller; hind toe very small, with a narrow 

 membrane, third the longest, fourth considerably shorter, but longer than 

 second; all reticulated above at the base, but with narrow transverse scutella 

 towards the end; the three anterior connected by reticulated webs, the outer 

 with a thick margin, the inner with the edge more dilated. Claws small, 

 arched, rather compressed, except that of the middle toe, which is bent 

 obliquely inwards and depressed, with a curved edge. 



Plumage close, blended on the neck and lower parts of the body, compact 

 on the upper. The feathers of the head and neck very narrow, of the back 



