Drscription of a New Species of Anser, by Geobxie N 

 Lawrence. Read March 16th, 1S4G. 



ANSER NIGRICANS. 



BLACK-BELLIED GOOSE. 



Specific character.— A large white patch on the middle of 

 the neck in front, and extending on the sides; belly brownish 

 black ; bill higher than broad at the base. 



Bill black, legs and toes black tinged with flesh color, iris dark 

 hazel ; head black, tinged with brownish rufons adjoining the bill, 

 with a dirty white line under the eye; neck and lore part of the 

 breast black; a large white patch on the centre of the neck inter- 

 mixed with black, except at the lower part, where it forms a dis- 

 tinct band of pure white, it is nearly two inches in width, round- 

 ing on each side of the neck and almost meeting behind ; belly 

 brownish black, sides brownish ash margined with white; back 

 dark brown, each feather margined with a lighter shade; rump- 

 feathers black ; axillars and lower wing-coverts greyish black ; tail 

 black, consisting of sixteen feather" ; upper and lower tail-covertB 

 white ; wings black, extending half an inch beyond the tail ; sec- 

 ond primary one line longer than the iirst ; third half an inch 

 shorter ; vent white. 



Length 22i inches; alar extent 44; bill a little higher than 

 broad, measures along the ridge l-,' 5 inches; from gap lg; 

 lower mandible 1:{ ; tarsus 2.i; middle toe 2 ; outer 15 ; inner 14 ; 

 weight 3 pounds. 



I have taken the above description and figure from an adnlt 

 female procured at Egg Harbor, N. J., in January. Since then 

 two others have been obtained at the sime place, one of which 1 

 have in my possession. On dissection it proves to be a male. It 

 agrees in markings with the female, but is evidently a younger 



