ANSERINE — THE GEESE — ANSER. 
451 
frequently seen in the northern districts of Siberia, where Middendorff speaks of it 
as the most common species found breeding on the Taimyr. It also occurs in China 
and Japan. 
In its general habits this Goose appears to be in no wise different from our com- 
mon Nearctic form, A. Gambeli. It flies in wedge-shaped flocks, frequently uttering 
a loud and harsh cry, which may be heard at a considerable distance. These flocks 
are said to be generally on the wing just before sunrise and sunset, and they are very 
regular in their movements, taking the same line of flight, and feeding at the same 
spot each day ; they may in consequence be readily obtained by lying in wait for 
them. When once fired upon, the flock usually leaves the neighborhood. This bird 
prefers low damp districts to the uplands, and may more frequently be found in 
localities where aquatic plants grow than in cultivated fields. Mr. St. John states 
that it is frequently seen off the coasts of England and Scotland in severe weather, and 
also in marshy districts and grass-fields. It arrives in Morayshire earlier than the 
other species of Geese, but is never seen there in flocks of more than eight or ten 
individuals. This Goose feeds almost exclusively on vegetable matters ; and Mr. 
Macgillivray states that a specimen sent to him from Northumberland had its stomach 
filled with the tender shoots and leaves of the common clover, on which it had been 
feeding after a severe snow-storm. Like the other species, it breeds near fresh-water 
or salt pools not immediately on the coast, and makes a large nest on the ground, 
warmly lined with down. The eggs are from four to six in number, are yellowish 
white in color, and measure about 3.12 inches in length by 2.13 in breadth. 
The American “ White-fronted,” or “ Laughing, Goose ” is a resident, during the 
summer months, in high Arctic regions, migratory in the spring and fall, and in the 
winter diffused over all the southern portions of North America, being more abun- 
dant in the central and western regions, and comparatively rare on the Atlantic 
coast. 
According to Mr. Boardman, it is of occasional occurrence near Calais. One was 
procured at St. Stephen that had flown against the flag-staff, and had thus become 
disabled. It is rarely seen in Massachusetts, although individuals are occasionally 
brought to the markets which have been taken on Cape Cod. Mr. Giraud speaks of 
this bird as being exceedingly rare on Long Island. A single specimen is mentioned 
as having been shot near Babylon, and given to the New York Lyceum. 
On the Pacific coast it is more abundant. Dr. Cooper mentions having seen flocks 
of this species at Los Angeles in December, 1860. It is also given by Mr. R. Browne 
as one of the birds of Vancouver Island. Captain Bendire mentions it as abundant 
in Oregon during migrations, and the first to arrive in the fall. 
Dr. Pickering, in his Notes taken when naturalist of the Wilkes Expedition, men- 
tions the occurrence of immense numbers of Geese of various species on the coast of 
California and Oregon, in the month of April, and subsequently in October. He 
calls particular attention to the abundance of this species in that region, and says 
that the Geese are usually seen either flying in lines — generally bifurcating from a 
point, but frequently irregular — or walking on the ground in search of food. 
Mr. Peale, referring to this species, states that about the middle of October vast 
numbers of White-fronted or Laughing Geese arrive in Oregon and California from 
the north. They are generally found on moist prairies, and feed almost entirely on 
grass. None were seen that were black anywhere, except in patches on the breast. 
Mr. E. Adams, in his Notes on the Birds observed on the Coast of Norton Sound 
(“Ibis,” 1878), speaks of this Goose as arriving there as early as the 23d of April, 
but not becoming abundant until the first week in May. They did not congregate 
