BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 



177 



CANADA GOOSE {Branta canadensis canadensis). 

 Common or local names : Wild Goose; Big Gray Goose; Honker. 



Length. — 35 to 43 inches. 



Adult. — Head and neck black; the white of throat extends up and back on 

 sides of head; the body feathers with paler edges generally; back and 

 wings brown; under parts ashy gray mainly; lower belly and under tail 

 coverts white; tail black, base white. 



Field Marks. — Black head and neck, with white cheek patches; great size 

 distinctive. 



Notes. — Sonorous, varied honks. 



Nest. — Usually in marsh, rarely in trees. 



Eggs. — Five to nine, dull pale greenish or whitish, about 3.50 by 2.50. 



Season. — Common spring and fall migrant; rare in winter; a few recently 

 have summered; early March to late May; late September to late 

 December or early January. 



Range. — North America. Breeds from Alaska and Labrador south to 

 southern Oregon, northern Colorado, Nebraska and Indiana; formerly 

 south to New Mexico, Kansas, Tennessee and Massachusetts; winters 

 from New Jersey (rarely Newfoundland and Ontario) and British 

 Columbia to southern California, Texas and Louisiana. 



