68 DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



in lofty circles before the flock descends. Some of the long necks 

 are always stretched and some keen eyes on guard, but danger lies 

 in the hidden hunter, the decoy, and the lantern. The rice lakes are 

 usually abandoned as too deadly, and much of the food of the geese 

 is obtained in fall from stubble fields, scattered wheat, oats, barley, 

 or corn ; or in spring from fields of sprouting grain. In summer, 

 grass furnishes most of their food, but many of the small water ani- 

 mals, such as snails, minnows, and tadpoles, are eaten. As the geese 

 still breed over parts of the United States and Canada, the eggs are 

 often found and frequently hatched under hens, tame geese, or tur- 

 keys. A hen can cover three eggs very nicely. The young become 

 perfectly tame, and are affectionate, exceedingly bright, interesting 

 pets, always ruling the poultry yard and most of the barn yard. 



Vernon Bailey. 



172a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.). Hutchins Goosb. 



Like canadensis, but smaller. Length : 25-34, wing- 14.75-17.75, bill 1.20- 

 1.90. 



Distribution. — Japan, Siberia, and arctic America ; south in winter 

 throug-h the United States. Breeds mainly in arctic regions, but reported 

 as resident in British Columbia. Rare toward Atlantic coast. 



Nest. — On ground in grass, lined with down. Eggs : usually 6, dull 

 white. 



The habits of the Hutchins goose are similar to those of the Canada 

 goose. 



172b. Branta canadensis occidentalis (Baird). White- 

 cheeked Goose. 



Like canadensis, but under parts darker, white cheek patches usually 

 separated by black on throat ; lower part of neck with a more or less dis- 

 tinct collar. Length: 35, wing- 16.25-18.00, bill 1.40-1.65. 



Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, north to Sitka ; south in 

 winter to California. 



172c. Branta canadensis minimsi Eidgw. Cackling Goose. 



Like occidentalis but smaller. Length: 23-25, wing 13.60-14.50, bill 

 .95-1.1.5. 



Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, breeding about Norton 

 Sound and the lower Yukon ; south in winter to California, and rarely east 

 to the Mississippi valley. 



Nest. — A depression in the ground, lined with grass and down. Eggs: 

 5 to 8, white. 



The cackling goose is reported by Nelson as common and breeding 

 in Alaska, and by Fannin and Brooks as resident on the coast of 

 British Columbia. 



174. Branta nigricans (Lawr.). Black Brant. 



Adults. — Head entirely black, neck almost encircled by a broad white 

 collar open behind ; upper parts dark sooty brown ; breast black, shaduig 



