284 



AVIFAUNA OF LAYS AN, ETC. 



Adult female. Similar to the male, only very slightly smaller ; wing about half an inch 

 shorter Mr Wilson states that the female has the black "extending farther down 

 the throat, and occupying a greater space below the eye," that the << feathers on flanks 

 are paler than in the adult male," and that the lower breast is not so pale. In my 

 series of nine adult Geese of both sexes these differences are not visible. Wilson further 

 says that the young male is like the adult female in colour. I am inclined to think 

 that his supposed old female is not quite adult. Salvador! describes the young m down 

 as follows: - Upper parts greyish brown; forehead, sides of head, throat, and middle 

 of the underpays whitish ; a white spot on each side of the back at the base of 

 the wing." 



Palmer sent nine adult examples, all collected on Hawaii in December 1891. He found the 

 birds not uncommon on the slopes of Hualalei on Hawaii, on places where the Ohelo-berries 

 were abundant. These berries, according to Palmer, form their principal food. We have 

 no absolute proof that this bird breeds anywhere else than on the lava-flows of Hawaii, 

 although specimens are said to have been observed on Kauai and Niihau, on neither of which 

 islands, however, does it breed. Finsch and Wilson both say that they were informed of its 

 breeding in the crater of Haleakala on Maui. 



Already the early travellers, Ellis and Bloxam, have noticed this remarkable Goose, 

 but Vigors/ in 1833, was the first to give it a scientific name. It has been frequently 

 imported alive to Europe, and has successfully bred in several public and private menageries 

 and gardens, both in Great Britain and on the Continent. 



On Hawaii most ornithologists have noticed the " ISene," which is its native name. 

 It breeds at great altitudes, probably not below 5000 feet above the sea. The eggs are white, 

 like those of other Geese. The food consists of berries and grass. According to Mr. W T ilson, 

 the "Ohelo" (Vaccinkim reticulatum), the stiwberry {Fragaria chiliensis), and a black berry 

 called " Popolo," are the principal food of this Goose. 



Mr. Wilson says : — " It is easy of approach, and I am told that when one of a flock is 

 wounded the remainder will not leave their companion, so that the collector, if heartless 

 enough, may kill the entire number." Palmer also mentions the fearlessness of the bird, 

 as compared with other Geese, but at the same time found them often so wild that he did 

 not succeed in procuring one or two seen, and that he had to use a rifle once or twice to kill 

 a specimen he wanted. 



The flesh of this Goose is highly esteemed as an excellent food. Mr. Wilson mentions 

 for the first time a "peculiar sweet musky scent in the neck of the Nene," which is 

 " a fact well known to Hawaiians." 



