THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. 



Anser albifrons (Scopoli). 

 Plate 43. 



This species is easily distinguished from the Grey-Lag by its smaller size, white 

 forehead and orange legs, although in both the nail on the bill is white. 



The black bars on the breast are strongly marked, whereas in the other there 

 are only a few small dark spots. 



Only known as a winter visitant to the British Islands, the White-fronted Goose 

 is more numerous on the western portions than on the east coast, although, 

 according to Millais, it is common in the Orkneys and Shetlands on migration 

 in spring. 



It is abundant in Ireland, more so than the other " grey " Geese. 



The White-fronted Goose goes very far north to its breeding stations among 

 the tundras and on the islands of Arctic Europe and Northern Asia, migrating 

 in winter to the warmer parts of Europe, as well as to Egypt and India. 



The nest does not differ from that of other members of the genus, and contains 

 from four to six eggs, of a yellowish-white colour. 



The bird feeds on grass, &c., and has been named "Laughing" Goose on 

 account of its cry. 



The Lesser White-fronted Goose, Anser erythropus, a smaller and darker bird, 

 with the bill also smaller, and having the white on the crown extending farther 

 backwards, breeds in northern Scandinavia, and has been recorded more than once 

 in England. This was considered by Professor Newton and Howard Saunders 

 as only a form of the White-fronted Goose, but others have given it the rank of 

 a species. 



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