brooks: kalklano island birds. 1oP> 



C'lILOEPHAGA MAGELLANICA (Giuclin). 



" Upland Goose." 



This stately goose is abuii(l;int throujjhout most of the islands. 

 They are in most instances \ory tame always allowing one to approach 

 within easy gunshot. 



The call of the male is very similar to that of the Kelp Goose. The 

 female has a \ariety of calls, tlu- most striking being a loud, resonant 

 " ("a-rr'r-ca-rr'r-ca-rr'r" suggesting our Brantd hcniicla glaucuya.sfrd. 

 At times it utters a series of cacklings, and its repertoire includes 

 several indescribable notes. 



They nest during October in the grass or " Diddle-dee" bushes, and 

 along valleys, the male always in sight of the nest. The only set in 

 m\- collection consists of six eggs taken November 3, and about one 

 (juarter incubated. 



The first downy young were seen on November 7, and from that date 

 until the twentieth of the month. The latest were noted December 29. 



The broods averaged fi\(' or six young. Most of these newly 

 luitched young instead of lying motionless until ilanger has passed 

 will run about after their j^arents making themselves as conspicuous 

 as possible. 



The female shows the greatest concern when one is near the young. 

 First she will run about with wings spread close to the grounfl until one 

 is beside the young. Then she walks slowly about in a circle a few 

 paces distant all the time giving a low "cluck." 



The male though obviously disturl)ed is less courageous and walks 

 about some distance away, nervously pecking at old dead grass-stems 

 and whistling softly, but watching the disturber very closely. On 

 one notable occasion the male outdid its mate in boldness. I was 

 approaching a brood very closely, and at the same time focusing my 

 graHex camera, when the male sprang up, and lighting on my head, 

 gave me such a beating with its wings that my ears rang for some time. 

 I eventually took a very good photograph of the whole family. 



Thev be-^in to moult late in November about a month before the 

 Kelj) Geese. B\- mid-December large flocks take to the water. 



Throughout the year Upland Geese feed upon tender young grass, 

 especially during the spring and summer. This diet is varied in the 

 autumn and winter by the consumption of berries locally known as 

 "Diddle-dee" and "Malvina" berries. At this time they become 



