BIRDS OF NORTH DAKOTA 9 



38 — 154. Old-sqnaw. llan^ula Hjeinalis. 



E. S. Bryant claims to have found one dead on northwest shore of Devils 

 Lake. 



39 — 1(55. Wlilte-wiiiged Scoter. Oideinia deglaudL 



Straggler to our lakes and ponds. Summer resident on Devils and Stump 

 Lakes. 



40 — 167. Ruddy Duck. Erisiuatura rubida. 



Very common, breeding in some numbers on all big lakes. An occasional 

 pair nesting in the smaller sloughs and coulee holes. Arrive usually during 

 the latter part of April. Full sets of eggs are found first week in June. 



41 — 169. Lesser Snow Goose. Chen hjperborea. 



Abundant migrant, spring and fall. Flocks of thousands flying to and 

 from their feeding grounds are a common sight from the first arrivals — in 

 the spring, usually about the last week in March until May 1. A few small 

 flocks stay until June 1. feeding on the young and tender grasses of the 

 prairie sloughs and meadows. In the fall they arrive from the north from 

 the 1st to the 12th of October, the big flight almost invariably reaching here 

 about the 10th. They stay until the water in the lakes freezes. 



42 — 169a. Greater Suow Goose. Chen hyperborea nivalis. 



Specimens whose size would apply to this sub-species, are shot at all 

 times from the large flocks of the Lesser Snow Geese. 



43 — 169b. Blue Goose. Chen coerulescens. 



Rare as compared with the Lesser Snow Goose. . One to four specimens 

 are usually seen in nearly every large flock of Snow Geese. 



44 — 170. Ross' Snow Goose. Chen rossii. 



One shot April 22, 1893. Have heard of others being seen. None have 

 come to my notice since. 



45 — 171a, American White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons ganibeli. 



Common migrant, both spring and fall. These geese usually fly in small 

 flocks of ten to twenty, and while feeding in company with the large flocks 

 of snow geese, yet they are independent of the same. As a rule they fly 

 close to the ground. They decoy easily and are a favorite with hunters. 

 Migrations about the same as other geese. 



46 — 172. Canada Goose. Branta canadensis. 



Common. Breeds. Very shy when wild. They are easily domesticated 

 and then become very tame and familiar with those whom they know. Wild 

 geese lay on an average of four to six eggs, tame ones often lay ten or twelve. 

 Harbingers of spring, this species is well called, for the first continued spell 

 of thawing weather brings theni from the south. Noted as early as March 8, 

 and in the fall as late as November 20. 



47 — 172a. Hutchins' Goose. Branta canadensis hutchinsii. 



Common migrant. Usually feed by themselves in small flocks of ten to 

 fifteen. When looking for feed they fly very low and decoy easily. They are 

 also the first out in the morning and evening flights. Often seen or heard 

 before daylight and miles from the lakes they spend the night on. 



48 — 172c. Cackling Goose. Granta canadensis minima. 



Two specimens shot in 1894 and one in 1895 by Dr. L. B. Bishop, They 

 were assigned to this sub-species. The average hunter would hardly be able 

 to separate this goose from the Hutchins, and they may be more common than 

 they are thought to be. 



49 — 180. Whistling Swan. Olor columbianus. 



One specimen was brought to me for identification in the fall of 1894. 

 Shot while flying in two Goose decoys. 



