110 
only as a rare straggler. One record for Manitoba is the only authenticated one in western 
Canada away from the immediate vicinity of the sea, 
SUBSPECIES. The White-breasted Brant is separated from the typical Old World 
form as Branta bemida glaucogastra, though a doubt has been expressed as to its validity 
as a separate subspecies. In the Western American Arctics the Black Brant, Bemicla 
nigricans of the Check-list, occurs, but undoubtedly eventually will have to be included as 
a subspecies of Branta bemida , as intergradations between it and the White-breasted can 
be demonstrated. The Black Brant is characterized by having the black of the upper 
breast extending down over the abdomen in slightly reduced intensity, only fading away 
to white near the vent; and the white collar usually more complete. Strangely enough 
light and dark-bellied birds seem to meet in the islands of Franklin without interbreeding, 
yet intergradation between them can be traced over the circumpolar circle in northern 
Europe and Asia. The Black Brant, intermixed with a few White-breasted and inter- 
mediates, migrates down the west coast. 
176. Emperor Goose, painted goose, Philacte canagica. L, 26. A beautifully 
coloured Goose of medium size. The head is white, with throat and foreneck of black 
fading into the breast. Whole body light slate grey, each feather of back, flanks, and 
breast with an edge of white and a subterminal band of black, giving a conspicuous effect 
of coarse scales or the appearance of a pale grey bird sharply barred all around with lines 
of black and white. The bill and feet are yellow. Juveniles and adults are similar. 
Distinctions. The white head and neck, black throat, and light grey body with black 
and white scale marks are absolutely distinctive. 
Field Marks. The general coloration should be distinctive at long distances. 
Nesting. On the ground, on flat marshy islets bordering the sea. 
Distribution. Breeds locally on Bering seacoasts of Alaska and Siberia. Winters 
in north Pacific south to Sitka. A few records for southern Vancouver island. 
178. Fulvous Tree-duck. Dendrocygna bicolor. L, 20-5. A very long-legged Duck, 
feet reaching beyond end of tail. Head, neck, breast, and underparts uniform rich, yellow- 
ish-brown (fulvous), paling on throat to cream, and darkening on crown and hindneck. 
A broad collar, incomplete behind, of dull white and dark brown stripes. Back, dark 
brown barred with slightly rusty feather borders. Tail dark brown with white coverts 
above and below. Wing coverts reddish chestnut, 
Distinctions. The only Duck so largely and evenly fulvous likely to be met. 
Field Marks. General fulvous coloration and long legs. Too rare to be recorded in 
Canada on sight identification, except in the most favourable circumstances. 
Nesting. On the ground or in hollow trees near water. 
Distribution. Southwestern United States, Mexico, South America, South Africa, 
and India, north in America to central California. But one record for Canada, from 
southern Vancouver island. 
Subfamily— Cygninae. Swans 
General Description. Very large, white water fowl. Excepting perhaps the Whooping 
Crane or the Wild Turkey, the largest of American birds. 
Distinctions. Size combined with colour is sufficient to diagnose the two American 
Swans. Lores (space between eye and bill) unfeathered. Bill begins high on the forehead, 
at base is almost rectangular in cross-section, and the tip is provided with a flat naii 
(Figure 144). 
Field Marks. Size and colour; our only very large, all white bird. 1 
Nesting. On the ground, nest of grasses lined with down plucked from parent bird. 
Distribution. Most of the Swans are found in the northern hemisphere, but are not 
entirely confined to it. In America, one species nests only in the far north, but what remains 
of the other and rarer one nests south near, or across, our southern border. 
“Other large white birds occurring in Canada (except a possible Egret, Glaucous Gull in adult plumage, 
and some Snowy Owls) have more or less black on the Sight feathers. 
