cxcvi Anatidje. BIRDS. Anatid®. 
?iing was bestowed on tliis species on account of a 
peculiar conformation of the bill. 'J’wo rows of 
strong teeth are exposed on both sides, which give 
a singular aspect, resembling grinning. 'I’hese Geese 
feed on bulbous aquatic plants and small inollusca. 
Audubon says they sometimes pluck up the small 
wheat plants, consuming great quantities. 
ROSS’S GOOSE [Aiiser rossi). — This curious little 
Chen,” says J)r. Cones, “ in which a long-lost species 
is easily recognized, is an inhabitant chiefly of Arctic 
America,, but, like the Snow Goose, is now known to 
migrate into the United States in winter. It has 
been taken at San Francisco. AVith exactly the 
coloration and form of A. hyperboreus, it is immedi- 
ately recognized by its small size — being no larger 
than a Mallard — less exposure of the teeth of the bill, 
corrugation of the base of the bill, and the nearly 
straight, instead of strongly convex, outline of the 
feathers at the sides.” Another name for this bird 
is Horned AVary. 
BLUE GOOSE {Anser mrulescens). — Inhabits North 
America genei'ally. Dr. Cones says: “It is a per- 
fectly distinct species from A. hyperboreus, the young 
of which, however much resembling it, is quite differ- 
ent. The plumage of the adult bears a curious super- 
ficial resemblance to Philacti canagica, the distribu- 
tion of the colors being much the same. 
CANADA GOOSE [Branta canadensis), or Common 
AA^ii.d Goosk, is found in all parts of North Amer- 
ica, where it breeds. It is accidental in Europe. 
Dr. Coues states that these birds nest in the A’ellow- 
stone and Upper Missouri region, in trees, and are 
also known to build in heavy timber along the larger 
streams, and to transport the young to the water in 
their bills. 'I’his corresponds to the habits of the 
AVood Duck. 'I’he Hutchins’ Goose is a variety of 
the preceding, and found more plentiful west of the 
Rocky Mountains. 
THE BRANT [Branta lernicla) — also called 
Brant Goose and Brack Brant — is common to Eu- 
rope and North America, but is rarely seen on the 
Pacific Coast. A variety, called B. nigricans, is rare 
on the Atlantic side, and replaces the B. bernicla on 
the Pacific Coast. Dr. Coues says : “ AVhile ascend- 
ing the Missouri in October, 1872, I observed vast 
numbers of the Brant in flocks on the banks and 
mud-bars of the river. It is generally disposed over 
the continent, but chiefly in its eastern portions, 
where the variety nigricans is rare. Usually the 
Black Brant is said to come in immense flocks, and 
to afford more sport than any other wild fowl. Dr. 
Luckhiy states they are extremely abundant at the 
Straits of Fuca during the winter, preferring the 
vicinity of the coast, and subsisting l)y choice on 
sedge-grass growing near salt water.” On the Atlan- 
tic Coast, the common variety has been seen as far 
south as Carolina. 'The Barnacle Goose was regard- 
ed as the same species a.s the present by AVilson, but 
is now considered distinct. W'ilson says: “'I’he 
Brant, or Brent, is expected at Egg Harbor, on the 
coast of New Jersey, about the first of October. 
’I’he first flocks generally remain a few days, and 
then pass on to the south. On recommencing their 
journey they collect in one great body, and, making 
an extensive S|)iral course some miles in diameter, 
rise to a great height in the air, and then steer for 
the sea, over which they uniformly travel, often mak- 
ing wide circuits to avoid passing over land or a pro- 
jecting point. In these aerial routes they have been 
met with many leagues from the shore, travelling the 
whole night. 'I’heir line of march very much resem- 
bles that of the Canada Goose, with this exception 
— that frequently three or four are crowded together 
in front, as if striving for precedency. Flocks con- 
tinue to arrive from the north, and many remain in 
the bay until December, or until the weather be- 
comes severe, when these also move off southwardly. 
During their stay they feed on the bars at low water ; 
seldom or never in the marshes, their principal food 
being a remarkably long and broad-leafed marine 
plant, of a bright green color, which adheres to stones. 
'I'heir voice is hoarse and Jionlcing, and, when some 
hundreds are screaming together, reminds one of a 
pack of hounds at full cry. fl’hey often quarrel 
among themselves, and with the Ducks, driving the 
latter off the feeding-grounds. 'I’heir breeding-place 
is supposed to be very far to the north.” He adds 
that the Brant never dives in search for food, but is 
known to swim under water during a hundred yards 
at a stretch. 
MALLARD [Anas ioschas) — Plate A^HI, fig. xx. — 
'I'his bird belongs to a sub-family (the River Ducks), 
and is nearly a world-wide inhabitant, being almost 
everywhere domesticated. Throughout the whole of 
North America it is wild, being generally known as 
the AVild Duck. It is found in all lakes and rivers, 
but is seldom seen on the sea-coast or salt marshes. 
Its flesh is considered as only second in quality to 
that of the Canvas-back Duck. 'I’he length of the 
Mallard is twenty-four inches ; extent of wing, thirty- 
six inches. “ 'I’his is the original stock of the com- 
mon domesticated Duck, reclaimed time immemorial 
from a state of nature, and now become so servicea- 
ble to man.” — Wilson. 
BLACK DUCK [A7ias ohscura). — Although familiar- 
ly known as the Black Duck, yet it is more properly 
the Dusky Duck, a name which it bears in some loca- 
tions, as it is not wholly black. 'I’his species is 
abundant along the Atlantic Coast, from Labrador 
to 'I’exas ; is resident in Florida, and noticed in 
Kansas and Iowa. It breeds plentifully in Maine, 
where it is one of the most abundant of its kind. 
During the winter months it is a constant article in 
market. 'I'he food of this Duck is principally the 
small shell-fish which abound in the salt marshes ; 
its flesh, therefore, is not much esteemed, having a 
somewhat disagreeable odor. Its voice reseml^les 
the Alallard, and, like that bird, it rarely dives, but 
swims and flies with great strength and velocity. In 
length of body it measures two feet ; extent of wing, 
three feet and two inches. 'I’he sexes differ very lit- 
tle in coloration, both having the beautiful green 
spot on the wings. 
PINTAIL [Bafila acuta) — called also Springtail — 
is common to both continents, breeding in high lati- 
tudes, and wintering in Central America and Cuba. 
