

Knowsley, which were received at about the same time as Lady Glengali's, four eggs 

 being laid and three young birds hatched. 



The figure given by Jardine and Selby was taken from an example in Lord Derby's 

 possession. 



This Goose shows extreme docility in captivity, instances of which I adduce below. 

 Judge Dole states that it builds its nest in grass on the high lava-fields (5000-7000 feet), 

 and lays two or three white eggs, about the size of those of the Common Goose. 



This interesting species, almost entirely confined as it is to one district of the island 

 of Hawaii, is clearly doomed to extinction before many years are past. At present, 

 however, it exists in fair numbers in Kona on Hawaii, where its favourite breeding- 

 haunts are, strangely enough, the old lava-flows, than which nothing more unsuited 

 to a goose can be imagined. I heard that it nested in the crater of Haleakala, on Maui, 

 but I did not visit that place. A pair bred near Kiholo, and a native who saw the 

 place assured me there was little or no nest. Dr. O. Finsch (Ibis, 1880, p. 81) says : — 

 " Just as unsuccessful was our trip to the spot where Bemicla sandvicensis breeds in 

 the gigantic crater of Haleakala, as, on account of the exhausted condition of our 

 horses, we could not get into the crater, but were forced to be satisfied with a look into 

 it — a sight never to be forgotten." It has been observed occasionally on Kauai and 

 Niihau, on neither of which, however, does it breed. 



In July 1887 I forwarded a pair to England, where they were deposited in the 

 Gardens of the Zoological Society, and were kept for some three years in perfect health 

 in company with another of the same species. My birds did not breed, to my great 

 disappointment ; but Mr. A. D. Bartlett assures me that some years ago he was 

 successful in rearing a considerable number, while my friend Judge R. F. Bickerton 

 was equally fortunate in Honolulu. The Nene, in June and July, is to be found at an 

 elevation of some 5000 feet, showing a preference for the clinker-beds of the old 

 lava-flows, and its food consists principally of fruits of plants, such as the ohelo L 



1 Peale, as quoted by Cassin, says :- — " We observed them on the volcanic mountains of the Island of Hawaii ; 

 they were generally in pairs at the season of our visit in the month of November, rarely four or five were seen 

 together feeding on the berries of a veiy abundant species of Vaccinium growing on the old beds of lava ; 

 on these they became very fat, and were delicious eating ; grass appeared, however, to be their ordinary 

 food. We never saw them near water, which is scarce in those regions, our party being obliged to carry the 

 necessary supply for the journey in calabashes ; but they are said to breed near shallow ponds, some few such 

 occurring between the mountains. What is most remarkable is the story related to us by natives, and which 

 we have every reason to believe is a fact, that this Goose, which has the powers of flight which would enable 

 it to move to as great distances as any others of the genus, is limited to the single Island of Hawaii ; rarely 

 visiting any other islands of the group, although several are in sight. It bears confinement well, is hardy, and 

 soon becomes domesticated. Its voice resembles that of the Snow Goose, Anser Jiyperhoveus." 



Cassin (U.S. Expl. Exped., Mamm. & Orn. p. 339) says that " Dr. Pickering, in his Journal, now in our 

 possession, mentions having seen this Goose in the mountains, especially numerous at a height which 

 he estimates as having been about seven thousand feet above the level of the sea. He states that it appeared to 

 be much less suspicious than other species with which he was acquainted, and when disturbed, flies off, 

 near the surface of the ground, without rising in the air, like the species of North America. Dr. Pickering 

 mentions having seen this bird feeding on berries." 



