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HUTCHINS’ GOOSE. 
Anser Hutchinsii, Richardson. 
PLATE CCOLXXYIL— Adult. 
Although it was not my good fortune while in the State of Maine, or on 
the coast of Labrador, to meet with this bird, I have no doubt that its 
periodical appearance along our eastern coast will ere long be fully esta- 
blished. This is the more to be expected as Dr. Richardson informs us 
that it is abundant about Hudson’s Bay, where it was long mistaken for 
the Brent, or an emaciated Canada Goose. In the mean time, having been 
presented with a specimen by my highly esteemed and gallant friend Cap- 
tain James Clark Ross, I have embraced the opportunity thus offered, of 
laying before you a representation, the first I believe that has yet 
appeared, of Hutchins’ Goose. 
For fifteen months, rendered trebly long and wearisome by heavy and 
difficult marches, under the most distressing feelings, that most amiable 
and accomplished traveller carried with him many specimens of rare birds, 
with the view of contributing to the advancement of our knowledge. 
Would, reader, that you could sympathize with me in the feelings of pride 
and pleasure with which I call him friend. May his name be as exten- 
sively known as his worth deserves ! 
Some weeks after my drawing was finished, and when I had arrived in 
Edinburgh, I had the gratification of receiving a long and most interesting 
letter from him, of which I present you with an extract. “ I have very 
great pleasure in having it now in my power to offer to your acceptance the 
specimen of this interesting species from which your drawing was taken. It 
was the child of my solicitude, and my constant companion during a long 
and tedious journey, after the abandonment of our ship, until our being 
received on board the Isabella, an interval of fifteen months ; and this will 
account in a great measure for the miserable plight in which the specimen 
first came into your hands. I will dispose of it according to your wishes, 
and am most happy to place it in the hands of one who knows so well 
how to appreciate the interesting associations connected with it. 
“ These birds arrived in flocks about the middle of June, in the neighbour- 
hood of Felix Harbour, and soon dispersed in pairs to their breeding place. 
