446 
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 
return south, was also unknown. They were rarely seen on the coast of Hudson’s 
Bay south of 59° north. 
Mr. Bernard H. Boss mentions the fact that the Slave Lake Indians recognize the 
difference between this species and both the albatus and the hyperboreus, it being said 
to arrive from the south later than the former, and earlier than the latter. 
A large number of individuals of this species were taken at Fort Resolution in 
May, 1860, by Mr. Kennicott, and in May, 1863 and 1865, by Mr. J. Lockhart. 
Mr. Blakiston (“Ibis,” 1878) refers to a smaller White Goose mixed with the 
flocks of A. hyperboreus in Japan, which he refers to “A. albatus ,” but which may have 
been this species. Its local name was Ko-hakugan. 
Captain Bendire mentions the procuring a single specimen of this Goose on Silver 
River in Eastern Oregon, April 12, 1876, but considered it a very rare species there. 
It had been shot by Sergeant Kennedy out of a flock of twelve, and weighed two and 
three fourths pounds. Its note was said to be quite different from that of the Snow 
Goose. Other examples have been taken in Marin Co. and in other parts of Cali- 
fornia, where its presence, however, is exceptional and rare. 
I)r. James C. Merrill informs me that this Goose is by no means uncommon about 
Fort Missoula, in Montana Territory. 
Mr. L. Belding, of Stockton, Cal., writes us as follows concerning this species : 
“Usually associates with other Geese when in the San Joaquin Valley, especially 
C. hyperboreus , and when flying individuals are sometimes scattered through a flock, 
or, as is often the case, congregated on one side or other portions of it. I once saw 
about a hundred of these Geese in a separate flock, flying very high, and going north- 
ward, the species being determined by its cry, which somewhat resembles that of the 
small ‘ Cackling Goose ’ (B. canadensis leucopareia). In November and December, 1880, 
it was quite as abundant in the Stockton market as C. hyperboreus — owing, I suppose, 
to its tameness.” Specimens of C. Bossi were observed at Stockton by Mr. Belding 
as early as Oct. 6, 1880, and by the 15th they became common. Mr. Belding further 
remarks that “the flesh of C. Bossi, unlike that of Geese generally, is excellent 
food.” 
Genus ANSER, Beisson. 
Anser, Briss. Orn. I. 3 760 (type, Anas anser, Linn., — A. cinerms, Meyer). 
This genus differs from Chen chiefly in the form of the hill, which is much less robust, more 
depressed terminally, the nails thinner and less arched, the tomia less divergent, etc. In fact, the 
bill of some species is quite identical in form with that of the larger species of Bernicla ( canadensis 
and Hutchinsi). The type of the genus, A. cinereus, Meyer, has the bill decidedly approximating, 
to that of Chen, the commissure gaping quite widely. But one species occurs in America, the com- 
mon White-fronted Goose ( Anser Gambeli, HartijATTb). The same species occurs also in Europe 
in a representative form — the A. albifrons, Gmel. The difference between them is chiefly one 
of size, the American bird being decidedly the larger. Another European species or race resem- 
bling A. albifrons, but much smaller, seems to bear to the latter about the same relation which 
Bernicla Hutchinsi or B. leucoparia do to B. canadensis. The following measurements from a con- 
siderable series of specimens will serve to show the comparative size of the three birds : — 
1. A. Gambeli, 
2. A. albifrons, 
3. A. minutus, 
Wing. 
Culmen. 
Depth of max. 
at base. 
Width of max. 
at base. 
Tarsus. 
Middle toe. 
14.25-17.50 
1.80-2.35 
.90-1.20 
.85-1.05 
2.60-3.20 
2.35-3.00 
14.75-16.00 
1.60-1.75 
.90 
.80-0.85 
2.25-2.80 
2.20-2.50 
13.25-15.00 
1.15-1.35 
.65-0.70 
.70-0.75 
2.00-2.50 
2.00-2.15 
