8 GAME BIEDS OF CALIFOBNIA 



Mr. A. D. Ferguson, also speaking of the Fresno region, states 

 (November 30, 1912) that flocks of geese may yet be seen in certain 

 sections along the San Joaqnin River and in some grain fields many 

 miles from the river. But ten to twenty years ago the ^yhole San 

 Joaquin Valley literally swarmed with wald geese during midwinter. 

 From the windows of a moving train myriads of geese were to be 

 observed, reaching as far as the eye could see on either side of the 

 railroad from Fresno to Stockton — certainly a thousandfold more geese 

 than can be seen today along the same route. 



Some published statements concerning the decrease of ducks and 

 geese in the central and northern parts of the State may be introduced 

 here. Tyler (1913&, p. 7) says: 



It is with regret that we note a gradually rliminishing number of waterfowl 

 returning to us each fall. . . . While it is probably true that gunners are in 

 a large measure responsible for the decrease in numbers of many species, par- 

 ticularly of the ducks and geese, yet a changed environment has been a potent 

 factor in bringing about the present condition. . . . The large grain and stock 

 ranches are being subdivided, reclamation work is steadily reducing the 

 swamp-covered areas, vineyards and orchards are springing up everywhere 

 with a consequent great increase in population. Even the tule ponds that 

 remain are often unsuitable for a nesting place on account of the custom of 

 using them as foraging grounds for bands of hogs. 



As early as 1890 the decrease in the numbers of geese had begun to 

 attract attention. W. E. Bryant (1890, pp. 291-292) makes the 

 following statements : 



There has not, so far as I am aware, been a very marked decrease in the 

 number of geese which annually visit California, but the area over which they 

 now feed is considerably less than in 1850. In the fall of that year, my father, 

 while going from San Francisco to San Jose, met with acres of white and gray 

 geese near San Bruno. They were feeding near the roadside, indifferent to 

 the presence of all persons, and in order to see how close he could apjnoach he 

 walked directly towards them. When within five or six yards of the nearest 

 ones they stretched up their necks and walked away like domestic geese; by 

 making demonstration with his arms they were frightened and took wing, 

 flying but a short distance. They seemed to have no idea that they would be 

 harmed, and feared man no more than they did the cattle in the fields. The 

 tameness of the wild geese was more remarkable than of any other birtls, but 

 it must be understood that in tliose days they were but little hunted and 

 probably none had ever heard the report of a gun and few had seen men. This 

 seems the most plausible accounting for the stupid tameness of the geese, forty 

 years ago. What the wild goose is today on the open plains of the large interior 

 valleys of California those who have hunted them know. By 1853 the geese 

 had become wilder and usually flew before one could get within shotgun 

 range, if on foot, but in an open buggy or upon horseback there was no diffi- 

 culty. There was a very marked contrast between the stupidly tame geese 

 after their arrival in the fall and the same more watchful and shy birds before 

 the departure in spring of the years 1852 and 1853. 



