Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/445

Rh high reeds, and lined with a coil of wire-netting, which was well concealed. In this enclosed space the wounded bird was placed. I had a passage cut from the enclosure through the reeds, narrow at the end near the decoy-bird and very wide at the outside of the clump of reeds. At the narrowest part of the passage I had four rabbit-traps placed. Within two hours the bird returned and was caught. The wounded bird appeared to be a little smaller of the two, but in other respects I could see no difference. I did not save the skin, as it was much damaged before the bird died."

Such are the particulars which have come to hand concerning this very interesting capture. It remains only to decide to which of the species of Snow Geese the birds in question belong, the plumage of all being very similar.

Anser hyperboreus, Cassin, the largest of the three, — and the measurements of which are — wing, seventeen to eighteen, inches and a half; tarsus, three to three inches and a quarter; and bill from forehead, two inches and a half, — is too large a bird to answer the description given of size.

Anser Rossii, Baird,* is as much too small, being no larger than a Mallard. Hearne says, in his 'Journal' (p. 442), "The flesh of this bird is delicate; but it is so small that I ate two oueone [sic] night for supper" !

Anser albatus, Cassin, intermediate in size between these two, measures — wing, fifteen inches to fifteen and three-quarters ; tarsus, two inches and seven-eighths to three inches; and bill from fore- head, two inches to two inches and one-eighth. The birds shot in Wexford in November, 1871, were identified by Mr. Saunders with this species, and from the description given of those now under consideration it seems probable that they also are of the. same species. t On this point, however, in the absence of measure- ments, one cannot speak with positive certainty. It is to be hoped that when the bird now in Mr. Crampton's possession dies, the owner will take immediate steps to have the skin preserved.

It is remarkable that the Snow Geese which visited the coast of Mayo in 1877 arrived about the same time as those which were met with in Wexford in 1871, namely, in October and November.

It seems that the name bestowed or suggested by Prof. Baird was not published by him, but was adopted from his MSS. by Cassin, Proc. Philad. Acad., 1861, p. 73.

+ The distinction between Anser hyperboreus and A. albatus is chiefly one of size. Dr. Elliott Coues does not regard them as specifically different, but treats the latter as a smaller race of the former species. See his 'Birds of the North-West,' p. 549.