(Chen rossii)
The Ross goose has been given the name of China goose by many who
wanted some distinguishing nomenclature for them, when in fact the
Ross goose is purely an American Pacific Coast bird. Like the snow
goose it is pure white with black primary plumes. Young birds of both
species are occasionally seen in the early part of the season more or
less mottled on the breast with yellowish gray feathers. The Ross
goose is only about half the size of the snow goose. Aside from this
it can always be known by the warty appearance of the upper half of
the bill. They are commonly seen, both in feeding and in their
migrations, mixed in the flocks of the snow geese. Occasionally they
are seen as far east as Utah and Montana, but only in small numbers.
The Ross goose migrates as far south as Central Mexico, great numbers
of them congregating on Lake Chapala, in the state of Jalisco.
=Color=--Same as the snow goose.
=Measurements=--Wing, about 14 inches; bill, 2-1/4, with warty
excresences on the upper part.
[Illustration: WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, OR SPECKLE-BREAST
(Anser albifrons gambeli)]