NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 147 



robust form, may be known by its white forehead and spotted breast, and 

 the tail has normally sixteen feathers ; the feet are yellow. It is, in all, a 

 very handsome bird and a favorite with sportsmen ; large numbers are 

 often killed on the lakes and reservoirs in spring and fall. The nest of 

 this species is made on the ground in marshy places among reeds and grass. 



Hab. North America, breeding far nortliward; in winter south to Mexico and Cuba. 



594. Canada Goose — bernicla canadensis. The Canada or Common 

 Wild Goose is generally distributed throughout North America at large, 

 breeding in the Northern United States and British Provinces. It winters 

 from New Jersey south to Mexico, and is the most abundant goose of our 

 country. It may be readily known by its large size and general brownish- 

 gray color; bill, feet, head and neck black, with a broad white patch on 

 the throat mounting each side of the head. The tail is black with nor- 

 mally eighteen feathers and the upper coverts are white. This species 

 makes its nest on the ground. Dr. Coues, in " Birds of the Northwest," 

 records its nesting in trees in various parts of the Upper Missouri and 

 Yellowstone regions. The most interesting information I can offer on the 

 breeding habits, migration, etc., of this Goose in a semi-domestic state, is 

 as follows: Twelve years ago this March (1886) Mr. Geo. Sackett, of 

 Delaware, Ohio, shot three specimens while they were passing over his 

 farm. Upon examination they were found to have only been " winged." 

 The wounds were dressed and the birds allowed their freedom on the farm 

 for two successive summers, but from the lack of sufficient water and the 

 annoyance of the cattle they did not prosper in their domestic affairs. On 

 two occasions the cattle destroyed their nests and young. The wild, timid 

 creatures were finally transferred to Mr. F. P. Vergon, proprietor of an 

 artificial lake of water which has a surface of about thirty acres. It is 

 used as a pleasure resort and is interspersed with many little islands. 

 Here the two that were mated made their nest in the rank grass and 

 rubbish at the most secluded end of the lake ; the young were hatched 

 and from some unknown cause were again destroyed. The next season 

 they took up their quarters on one of the islands, made a nest of sticks 

 and straws, and commenced laying in the latter part of March, incubating 

 until the middle of May, bringing forth eight young. During the ten 

 years on the lake only two eggs have failed to hatch. The young were 

 not taken into the water until they were six days old, and this was in early 

 morning and evening, at which times the old birds would float off from 

 their island with their well-known conk, the young following single file 

 behind them, feeding at the extreme end of the lake. This was kept up 

 until August, when the young could fly and take care of themselves. 



