68 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 
ANSER ALBIFRONS, B e c li s t.—White-fronted Goose. 
Anser alhifrcms, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 209, pi. 380.— Aud. Fol. pi. 286.— Gould's B. of Europe, vol. V, pi. 
349.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 346.— Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 466. 
Anser gambelii, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 761. 
One of the most common species, resorting to the same localities as the preceding and 
associating with them during the winter. Lieutenant Stoneman, United States army, informed 
me that he had, on one occasion, seen this as well as the others caught in a lasso while on the 
wing. The wind blowing violently, the birds flew low to avoid its influence, and as they passed 
by a point of rocks, behind which were concealed two Californians, the lasso was thrown in 
the air among them, seldom failing to bring down a bird, the noose encircling it by the neck, 
wings, or body. Of the geese this is considered the most delicate for the table, as it feeds 
almost exclusively on the young herbage growing on the highlands and about the fresh water 
ponds. 
ANSER HYPERBOREUS, G m e 1 .—Snow Goose. 
Anser hyperboreus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 212, pi. 381.— Gould, B. of Eur. vol. V, pi. 346.— Gmel. Syst. Nat. 
vol. I, part II, p. 504.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p 76 and 89, pi. 68, fig. 5 and pi. 69, fig. 5. 
Frequents more especially the salt marsh districts, though found also inland. The food 
which it selects in these localities gives their flesh a strong sedgy flavor, which causes them to be 
but little esteemed. These birds often cover so densely with their masses the plains in the 
vicinity of the marshes as to give the ground the appearance of being clothed in snow. Easily 
approached on horseback, the natives sometimes near them in this manner, then suddenly 
putting spurs to their animals gallop into the flock, striking to the right and left with short 
clubs, and trampling them beneath their horses’ feet. I have known a native to procure 
seventeen birds in a single charge of this kind through a flock covering several acres. 
CYGNUS BUCCINATOR, Richardson.—Trumpeter Swan. 
Chjgnus buccinator, Rich. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 464.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 370 .—Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, 
p. 219, pi 382 and 383. 
Occasionally seen in the air following each other in single file, and sounding their trumpet¬ 
like note as they advance. I observed a few in Suisun and Sacramento valleys, and found them 
frequently in the San Francisco market. 
AIX SPONSA, Linn .—Summer Duck. 
Anas sponsa, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 539.— Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 271, pi. 391.— Wils. Am. Orn. 
vol. VIII, p. 97, pi. 70, fig. 3.— Nutt. Orn. vol. II, p. 394. 
Aix sponsa, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 785. 
Abundant, breeding in the hollow trees bordering the streams of California. 
MARECA AMERICANA, Gmel .—American Widgeon. 
Anas americana, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. I, part II, p. 526.— Wils. Am. Orn. vol. VIII, p. 86, pi. 69, fig. 4.— Aud. 
B. of A. Oct. vol. VI, p. 259, pi. 389. 
Mareca americana, Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 883. 
Abundant. 
