THE SNOW-GOOSE. 

 Chen hyperboreus, Pallas. 

 Plate 44. 



This rare straggler to the British Islands, of which there are two forms, differing 

 merely in size, visits us at irregular intervals, the greater number of those obtained 

 having been captured or shot in Ireland, and all belonging to the smaller race, 

 except one obtained near Belmullet, co. Mayo. 



The larger race breeds in Arctic North America, migrating southwards in winter, 

 whilst the summer home of the lesser appears to be eastern Siberia and western 

 Arctic America. According to the late H. E. Dresser {A Manual of PalcEarctic 

 Birds), the Snow-Goose " breeds on the Arctic barren grounds near lakes, the 

 nest being a hollow well lined with down, and " the eggs, usually five in number, are 

 white." 



It feeds on grass and other vegetable matter, as well as on berries and 

 shell-fish. 



The bird shown on the plate was painted from a beautiful living specimen at 

 one time in the Zoological Gardens of London. 



The young are brownish-grey on the upper parts — the feathers on the back 

 and wing coverts having darker centres — and dull white below. 



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