Náttúrufræðingurinn - 1984, Blaðsíða 99

et al. 1963). (2) The Iceland birds were
most likely unringed, although the only
available photograph (Fig. 7) does not
totally exclude that possibility. The photo-
grapher (now dead) was the only person to
observe the geese at close range. He never
gave any hint as to whether the birds were
ringed or not, and he did not keep a formal
diary. (3) The bird that was shot in 1965,
most likely did not carry a ring, although
the exact finders could not be traced aften
an elapse of about 20 years. People on the
farm, to whom the breeding locality
belongs, were well informed on ringing
acitivities, and would have reported the
recovery should the bird have been ringed.
Most likely children from this farm were
among those who found the bird.
Although the geese probably originated
from captive birds in Britain, this is not
certain. Lesser Snow Geese are now
known to be annual vagrants in Iceland,
most often found in flocks of
White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons).
Truly wild Ross’ Geese have never been
observed in Iceland, or anywhere in
Europe for that matter (Ogilvie 1978).
From 1961 onwards hybrid Lesser Snow x
Ross Geese were observed in increasing
numbers in North-America (Trauger
Dzubin and Ryder 1971). Hybrids maý
well, as do pure lesser snow, get caught up
m White-front flocks, and find their way to
Iceland and Europe.although Ross’ Geese
do not. The increase in hybrids in
N-America, coincided with the nesting
attempts in Iceland. Nonetheless I con-
sider this explanation Iess likely than that
of captive birds from Britain being
involved.
189