Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/444

420 is pure white; and on opening his bill a process resembling teeth is very noticeable."

Prior to the receipt of this note I had written to Mr. Robert Warren, of Moyview, Ballina, in the same county, whose practical knowledge of Ornithology rendered his assistance in the matter most desirable, and, being somewhat doubtful whether the species had been correctly identified, requested his opinion. He had not heard of the occurrence, and was inclined to think that on enquiry the birds would turn out to be Bemicles. Mr. Sweetman's description, however, of the pure white plumage seemed almost conclusive. Mr. Warren promptly instituted enquiries, and on the 81st August was enabled to send me the following letter from Mr. Crampton, dated the previous day:—

"From the description given in Cuvier's 'Natural History,' I think there can be no doubt as to the bird you refer to being the Snow Goose. With the exception of black tips to the wings the bird is snow-white; a little smaller than the common goose, and much more elegant in shape. He is now quite tame, and has assumed the leadership of our domestic flock, taking them long distances away in the mornings and reluming to the yard in the evenings with remarkable punctuality."

In answer to enquiry as to the colour of the bill and feet, and the mode in which this bird was captured, Mr. Crampton obligingly replied, on September 2nd, as follows:—

"The goose is rather smaller than our land Bernicle. The legs and feet are the same in colour, but a shade darker and more livid looking than the common goose. The bill is much the same in colour as that of the common goose, perhaps a little brighter, but with a hard black enamel-like edging along the upper part of the lower mandible, and the same to a less degree on the upper one.

"As to the place and mode of capture, there is a large tract of wet reedy marsh between the lake and the sea, and within a few hundred yards of my house, much frequented in winter by ducks, geese, and occasionally swans. In this marsh, in the end of October last, I saw two strange white birds. After a wet stalk, I wounded and secured one. It lived in my garden for six weeks and then died. The day succeeding its capture the second bird was seen flying over the marsh, and it occurred to me to try and trap him, which I accomplished in the following way : — I had a space about six feet in diameter cleared in the centre of some