HUTCHINS 5 GOOSE. 
199 
At Igloolik, the only place where we had before met with them, their nests 
were found in the marshes near the sea ; but on this occasion several pairs 
constructed their nests on a ledge of rock near the foot of a high precipice; 
immediately above them the Dovekies, Loons, several species of Gulls, and 
near its summit, the Jer-Falcon and Raven, built their nests. 
“ From three to four eggs were found in each nest, of a pure white, and 
of an oval form, measuring 3.1 inch by 2.1, and weighing from 1800 to 
2000 grains. 
“ The female bird is smaller than the male. To the measurements given 
by Dr. Richakdson, which are very accurate, we may add that its extent 
of wings is fifty inches, and that it averages about four pounds and a half 
of weight. Its flesh is of a most exquisite flavour.” 
Anser Hutchinsii, Hutchins' Bernacle Goose, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., 
vol. ii. p. 410. 
Hutchins’ Goose, Anser Hutchinsii , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iii. p. 526. 
Adult, 25, 50. 
Breeds in the Arctic Regions. Columbia river. Abundant. 
Adult. 
Bill shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, somewhat 
conical, depressed towards the end, rounded at the tip. Upper mandible 
with the dorsal line sloping, the ridge slightly flattened at the base, convex 
in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping, the edges soft, the oblique internal 
lamellae about thirty ; the unguis roundish, convex. Nasal groove oblong, 
parallel to the ridge, filled by the soft membrane of the bill ; nostrils medial, 
lateral, longitudinal, narrow-elliptical, open, pervious. Lower mandible 
straight, with the angle very long, narrow and rounded, the edges with 
about forty oblique lamellae. 
Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck long and very slender. Body 
full. Feet short, stout, placed behind the centre of the body ; legs bare a 
little above the joint ; tarsus short, a little compressed, covered all round 
with angular scales, those behind smaller : hind toe very small, with a narrow 
membrane, third the longest, fourth considerably shorter, but longer than 
second ; all reticulated above at the base, but with narrow transverse scu- 
tella towards the end ; the three anterior connected by reticulated webs, 
the outer with a thick margin, the inner with the edge more dilated. 
Claws small, arched, rather compressed, except that of the middle toe, 
which is bent obliquely inwards and depressed, with a curved edge. 
Plumage close, blended on the neck and lower parts of the body, compact 
on the upper. The feathers of the head and neck very narrow, of the back 
