NATATORES. 



333 



and the pale rosy tinge is only to be observed on examination, or 

 when the feathers are displaced. 



This specimen has the plumage of the head and neck somewhat 

 downy, and is evidently that of a young bird. The rose-red of the 

 adult is in the young only to be seen on the wings, as above stated, 

 and more clearly on the tail-coverts and tail. In the plumage here 

 alluded to, this bird more nearly approaches the description by Molina, 

 above cited, than any other specimen that has come under our notice, 

 and we have accordingly adopted his name. In the study of, or re- 

 adjustment of the species and names of the birds of this group, it must 

 not be overlooked, however, that there are now two well-determined 

 species of Flamingos which inhabit Chili and other countries of West- 

 ern South America. The second species is Plioenicopterus andinus, 

 Philippi, Annales de la Universidad de Chile, August, 1854, a transla- 

 tion of the description of which is in Gilliss's Astronomical Expedition 

 to the Southern Hemisphere, Vol. II, p. 198. 



2. Genus ANSER, Barrere, Orn. p. 16 (1745). 

 1. Anser albatus, Cassin. — The Western Snow Goose. 



Anser albatus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. VIII, p. 41 (1866). 



This is a species related to the Snow Goose of Northern Europe and 

 America, but uniformly smaller, and presenting other distinguishing 

 characters. Though first described by us from specimens obtained on 

 the coast of New Jersey, where it is a very rare visitant, it is, we sus- 

 pect, much more abundant on the western coast of the United States. 

 A single specimen is in the collection of the Expedition, which appears 

 to be that of a male in nearly adult plumage. 



Smaller than Atiser hyperhoreus, bill shorter; bare space at the base 

 of the upper mandible not extending so far into the feathers (on the 

 sides of the bill in front). Wing long, second quill longest; tail short, 

 but comparatively rather longer than in A. hypei-horeus, which is also 

 the case with the tarsus. 



Total length (of skin), about twenty-five inches; wing, fifteen and 

 three-fourths inches ; tail, five and three-fourths inches ; bill, two 

 inches ; tarsus, two inches. Female smaller. 



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