440 
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 
occurs throughout the northwestern portions of the continent (being the only one known to breed 
in Alaska), and in winter migrates over the whole of the country from the Pacific coast to the 
Mississippi Valley. The other, with larger general size and disproportionately heavier bill, breeds 
in the region about Hudson’s Bay, and in winter migrates southward chiefly along the Atlantic 
coast. This bird is the Anas nivalis of Porster (1772), and if it is to be recognized as a race, as 
we think it ought, it should be called Glien (or Anser) hyperboreus nivalis. 
Among the specimens examined is a young bird (No. 84698, U. S. Nat. Mus., S. Turner, coll.) 
obtained at Mount Carmel, 111. (in winter), which is exceptionally small, measuring, wing, 14.50 ; 
culrnen, 2.05 ; depth of maxilla, at base, 1.20 ; tarsus, 3.00 ; middle toe, 2.00. Of the fifteen 
examined altogether, all possessed sixteen rectrices except one, an adult from Alaska, which had 
eighteen tail-feathers. 
An adult male killed at Mount Carmel, 111., Oct. 6, 1873 (No. 84696, R. Ridgway, coll.), 
measured, when fresh, 27.00 inches in length and 57.00 in extent, and weighed 5J lbs. The fresh 
colors of the unfeathered portions were as follows : Bill bright salmon-pink, becoming brighter flesh- 
color around the nostril, and more dilute purplish on the lower mandible ; ungui yellowish white, 
and commissural space deep black ; iris dark brown ; eyelids greenish white ; feet dilute purple- 
lake, the soles of the toes dull light naples-yellow. An adult male collected at Pyramid Lake, 
Nev., Dec. 28, 1867 (No. 53690, U. S. Nat. Mus., R. Ridgway, coll.), weighed 5 lbs. ; length, 28.00 
inches. Bill dull light salmon-purple, becoming white on the ungui ; the salmon-color purest on 
the culrnen, and most purplish basally ; the black of the commissural space separated from the 
purple by a backward extension of the white of the nail ; eyelids flesh-color ; iris vandyke-brown ; 
tarsi and toes deep salmon-purple ; claws black. 
An immature specimen, collected at the Sink of the Humboldt, Nev., Oct. 31, 1867 (No. 
53689, R. Ridgway, coll.), differed in the color of the bill and feet as follows : Bill blackish dusky, 
becoming greenish slate on the upper basal portion ; tarsi and toes greenish slate. 
The Snow Goose is an Arctic species, common to both continents, and occurring 
during the summer in high northern latitudes. It is found in its migrations on both 
coasts, as well as on inland water in the interior, is abundant on the Pacific, but rare 
on the Atlantic coast, and visiting even Japan, where its local name is Ilalcugan. 
According to Mr. Boardman, it is by no means uncommon on the coast of Maine ; 
and the same is true of the region adjacent to the St. Croix River. It is, however, 
comparatively rare in Massachusetts. On Long Island, according to Giraud, it is also 
not common. Occasionally the young of this species are seen exposed for sale in the 
New York markets, but the adults rarely. In some seasons small flocks are met 
with on the South Bay, and now and then stragglers are noticed flying in company 
with the common Canada Goose. The whiteness of their plumage renders them very 
conspicuous, and when opportunity offers they are singled out by the hunters. On the 
Jersey coast this bird is known as the “Red Goose,” and it there usually makes its 
first appearance in November. As the winter progresses it proceeds farther south, 
stopping again on its return to the north, late in winter or early in spring. At times it 
is said to be abundant on the coast of New Jersey and in Delaware Bay. It there fre- 
quents the marshes and reedy shores, feeding upon the roots of various marine plants, 
particularly that known as the sea-cabbage. Its bill is very strong, enabling it to pull 
up the roots of sedges and other marine plants with great ease. The flesh — while it 
cannot be called fishy — has a strong and peculiar taste, but is held in high estima- 
tion by some epicures, who consider it superior to that of the- tame Goose. 
On the Pacific coast this bird is more or less abundant from Alaska and Washing- 
ton Territory to Southern California. Dr. Cooper mentions having seen large flocks 
of this species at Los Angeles in December, 1860. It occurs in great numbers in the 
middle and western portions of California in winter, frequenting especially the 
marshes and plains near the sea, sometimes appearing on the sandy bars about 
