Interior of British North America. 141 
numbers. Mr. Ross also notes it as common on the Mackenzie 
to the. Arctic coast. The low marshy country bordering the 
lower part of the Saskatchawan River, in the neighbourhood of 
Fort Cumberland and “the Pas” Mission, is a great resort, 
where, in 1857, as I passed on my boat-voyage at the close of 
September, I had a good introduction to the water-fowl. I saw 
many Indians return in the evening, after the day's “ Goose- 
hunt,” with their bark canoes literally filled with geese; and 
they were mostly of this species. This, I regret, led me into 
hot water; for, happening to mention that in our progress, 
during a high breeze, we passed through a shower of feathers 
that I supposed came from some Indian encampment adjoining 
the river, I was questioned by a correspondent in the ‘ Zoologist' 
(‘ Zool.' 6642) as to whether I could distinguish, better than the 
ancient Scythians, feathers from snow; to which being forced to 
reply, I proposed a simple experiment admirably adapted for 
a closet naturalist; but this was unfortunately mistaken for 
“ chaff,” as I was informed in a second letter ( f Zool.' 6763). 
However, I hope (for I left England shortly after, and was 
unable to reply again to my critic) that by this time both 
feathers and chaff are entirely blown away, and that I need say 
no more on the subject. Having carefully examined a number 
of the Laughing Geese, and found much difference in colouring 
between the old and young birds, although measuring the same 
size, or nearly so, I am inclined to doubt the new species Anser 
frontalis of Baird, described from specimens from Red River 
Settlement and Fort Thorn. Besides, Mr. Barnston does not 
seem to have any suspicion of a second species; and I never 
heard the Indians mention anything about one. A specimen of 
A. gambelii, which I received from Hudson's Bay, is now in the 
Museum of the Royal Artillery Institution at Woolwich, where, I 
may state, an application either to the Secretary or to Mr. H. 
Whitely, of 28 Wellington Street, will gain any naturalist ready 
admission to examine my specimens. 
105. Bernicla canadensis. 
This is the “Common Grey Goose” of the fur-traders and 
voyageurs of the territories of the Hudson's Bay Company. Its 
