130 



SNOW GOOSE. 



to consider that lie is, then, we must add another bird 

 to the European list, as there can be no doubt that 

 A. ccBrulescens has been found as frequently in .Europe 

 as the Snow Goose. 



The Snow Geese breed in great numbers in the 

 wastes of Arctic America, frequenthig, according to 

 Richardson, the sandy shores of rivers and lakes, and 

 are very watchful, employing one of their number 

 usually as a sentinel to warn them of any approaching 

 danger. 



The eggs are yellowish white, and, according to 

 Nuttall, a little larger than those of the Eider Duck, 

 their length being three inches, and their greatest 

 breadth two. 



"The young fly about the close of August, and the 

 whole depart southward about the middle of Septem- 

 ber. Early in November they arrive in the Eiver 

 Delaware, and probably visit Newfoundland and the 

 coasts of the Eastern States in the interval, being 

 occasionally seen in Massachusets Bay. They congre- 

 gate in considerable flocks, are extremely noisy and 

 gabbling, their notes being shriller than those of the 

 Canada or Common Wild Goose. They make but a 

 short stay in the winter, proceeding south as the 

 severity of the weather increases. They begin to return 

 northwards by the middle of February, and until the 

 breaking up of the ice in March, are frequently seen 

 in flocks on the shores of the Delaware, and around 

 the head of the bay. At this time they are observed 

 to feed on the roots of the reeds, tearing them up like 

 hogs. In their breeding resorts in the fur countries 

 they crop rushes, and collect insects and (in autumn 

 principally) berries for food, particularly those of the 

 crowberry, f Empetrum nigrum.) At this time they 



