This bird was first described by Prof. Brandt, a distinguished Russian naturalist, who ascertained it be an inhabitant of the coasts of Russian America. This author, and various others of Russia, have done much towards elucidating the Natural History of Northwestern America, and in some instances names given by them will be found to anticipate those of Americans, especially in ornithology. As a species occurring on the coast of California, our present bird was first observed by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, whose collection made in that country contained numerous specimens. Since that period, it has been noticed by nearly all our naturalists, though nothing is recorded of its habits or history. In fact, the water-birds of Western America have by no means received sufficient attention, and contributions to their history would be important additions to American ornithology. [Illustration: Plate 45 The White-necked Goose Bernicla leucopareius (_Brandt_)] DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. Genus Bernicla. Stephens, Cont. of Shaw’s Zool. XII. p. 45. (1824). Bernicla leucopareia. (Brandt.) Anser leucopareius. Brandt, Bulletin Acad., St. Petersburg, I., p. 37. Desc. et Icones Animalium Rossicorum novorum. Aves, p. 13, pl. 2, (1836.) Anser Hutchinsii. Richardson, Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 470? (1831.) “Anser canadensis. Brisson.” Pallas, Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, II., p. 230. Form. Bill small, short, wide vertically at base; wing long, second quill longest; tail short; legs short; toes moderate, fully webbed. A protuberance on the edge of the wing near the shoulder. One of the smallest of the species of this genus. Dimensions. Total length, male (of skin) about 23 inches, wing 15, tail 5½ inches. Colors. Head and neck glossy black; a large somewhat reniform patch on each cheek, white, and a ring around the neck of the same (white) at the termination of the black part. Entire upper parts fuscous, lighter on the back, and with the feathers edged with paler and very dark, nearly black on the rump; upper tail coverts white; quills and tail brownish-black; secondaries edged outwardly with pale brown; breast and abdomen glossy yellowish ashy, with transverse stripes of brown on the sides; ventral region and under tail coverts, white; bill and feet dark; under wing coverts and axillaries light ashy brown; the white ring around the neck more or less interrupted behind; the white patches on the cheeks separated by a narrow longitudinal band on the throat. Hab. California. Russian America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philad.