ANSERIN^E — THE GEESE — BERN ICLA. 465 



Although closely resembling the Canada Goose in most respects, except its smaller 

 size, its habits are said to be quite different from those of that bird. While the 

 canadensis frequents the fresh-water lakes and rivers of the interior, and feeds chiefly 

 on herbage, the Hutchinsi is always found on the sea-coast, feeding on the marine 

 plants and the moUusca which adhere to them — whence its flesh derives a strong fishy 

 taste. In form, size, and general colors of the plumage it more nearly resembles the 

 Brant than the Canada Goose. 



According to Mr. Barnston, Hutchins's Goose arrives at Hudson's Bay later in 

 the season than B. canadensis, and at about the same time as the »Suow Goose. It 

 is shot in considerable quantities at Albany and elsewhere along the coast of James 

 Bay. This bird does not incubate in scattered or detached parties throughout the 

 wooded country, but proceeds in large and united flocks to the extreme north, reaching 

 Hudson's Bay about the beginning of May, and at once beginning to feed in the 

 salt-marshes among the soft white-rooted grasses, remaining a fortnight or three 

 weeks, in company with the '-'Waveys," or Snow Geese. By this time the Geese 

 are in good plight, and they then take their departure, not reappearuig until they 

 return with their young broods in the month of September. They are killed in 

 less numbers on their passage to Hudson's Bay than the canadensis, which may be 

 accounted for by their habits ; but wlien once the birds have settled upon their 

 feeding-grounds, the slaughter of them is immense. 



Captain James Clark Boss, as quoted by Audubon, states that this species arrives 

 in flocks, in the neighborhood of Pelix Harbor, about the middle of June, and soon 

 disperses in pairs to its breeding-places. At Igloolik, the only place where he had 

 previously met with them, their nests Avere found in the marshes near the sea. But 

 on this occasion several pairs constructed their nests on a ledge of rocks near the foot 

 of a high precipice ; immediately above them the Dovekies, Loons, and several spe- 

 cies of Gulls, and near its summit the Gyrfalcon and Raven, had also built their 

 nests. From three to four eggs were found in each nest, of a pure white color and of 

 an oval form, measuring 3.10 inches in length by 2.10 inches in breadth. Its flesh 

 Mr. Boss pronounces of a most exquisite flavor. 



In Texas, both on the coast and inland, ^Vlr. Dresser found these birds quite 

 common. During tlie winter he shot several on Mitchell's Pond. The shore hunters 

 there are well aware of the difference between this species and the canadensis, calling 

 the latter the " Bay Goose," and the former the " Prairie Goose." Dr. Merrill also 

 mentions this form as being more common tlian the canadensis. 



Dr. Cooper states that this bird is altogether the most common of the Brant family 

 of Geese along the Pacific coast, where it arrives about the first of October, and fre- 

 quents both the inland plains and the salt-marshes that border the coast. He thinks 

 it goes as far south as San Diego, though he met with none there. It usually feeds 

 on the plains early in the morning, and toward noon returns to the water, Avhere it 

 rests during the middle of the day and night. Large numbers are shot, both wliile 

 feeding and resting, but the mode of pursuit varies according to circumstances. 

 The brush shed and the trained ox are used on the plains ; but in the water a l)oat is 

 required, with which the Geese may be approached very closely under cover of the 

 tall weeds. With a large gun twenty or thirty are often killed in two shots, one fired 

 while the birds are sitting, the other as they rise. After feeding again in the after- 

 noon, the greater part of those in the interior are said to assemble at favorite roosts 

 in tlie wide creeks and sloughs, though many are seen in scattered flocks about the 

 marshes. Dr. Cooper is confident he saw this species in the San Joaquin Valley as 

 early as September 10, and on the 15th he met with a large flock there. Mr. Eidgway 



VOL. I. — 59 



