122 GEESPl 



bottom lands, they seldom visit the high, dry prairies like the Snow 

 and Canada Geese " (Goss). 



The European White-fronted Goose {171. Anser alhifrons) resembles 

 its American representative in color, but averages smaller. It is American 

 only as it occurs in Greenland, where ganibeli is apparently unknown. 



172. Branta canadensis {Linn.). Canada Goose. ^J.— Throat 

 and a large patch on the side of the head behind the eye white or whitish ; 

 chin and rest of the head and neck black ; back and wings grayish brown, more 

 or less edged with lighter; tail and shorter upper tail-coverts black, longer 

 and lateral ones white ; breast and belly grayish, fading to white on the lower 

 belly ; sides like the back. Tm. — Similar, but throat and cheeks sometimes 

 nuxed with blackish. " L., 35-00-43-00 ; W., 15-00-21-00 ; Tar., 2-45-3-70 ; B., 

 1-55-2-70" (Eidgw.). 



Range. — Temperate North America; breeds in the northern United States 

 and British provinces ; south in winter to Mexico. 



Washington, W. V. and rather common T. V., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, 

 common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Oct., some W. V. Sing Sing, tolerably com- 

 mon T. v., Mch. 11 to May 21 ; Oct. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. and 

 Apl. ; Oct. to Dec. 



Nest.^ of sticks lined with down, on the ground in the open prairie, on 

 the shores of streams, on tree stumps and sometimes in trees, when a de- 

 serted nest of the Osprey is generally used. Eggs., four to five, butty white, 

 3-50 X 2-35. 



Probably the migration of no bird attracts more universal interest 

 than that of the Wild Goose. Ornithologists talk of " waves " and 

 "flights" of migrants passing in the night, but the biannual pilgrim- 

 age of the Canada Goose appeals to us all with the directness of a per- 

 sonal experience. We see the living wedge of long-necked birds pass- 

 ing high overhead; the unbroken sound-waves bring the sonorous 

 " honks " with unexpected distinctness to our ears ; and we receive an 

 impressive lesson in the migration of birds. They are embarked on a 

 journey of several thousand miles, but they come and go as surely as 

 though they carried chart and compass. 



172a. B. c. hutchinsii {Hw. & Elch.). IIutchins's Goose. — Resem- 

 bles the preceding in color, but averages smaller. L., 25-00-34-00 ; W., 14-75- 

 17-75; Tar., 2-25-3-20; B., 1-20-1-90 (Ridgw.). 



Range. — " North America, breeding in the arctic regions, and migrating 

 Boath in winter chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi 

 Valley; eastern Asia'' (A. 0. U.). 



Long Island, A. V. 



172c. B. C. minima Ridgiv. Cackling (toope.— To be distinguished 

 from the two preceding by its smaller size and the much darker brownish- 

 gray color of the breast and upper belly. " W., 13'60-14'50; Tar., 2-40-2-75; 

 B.,*95-l-15» (Ridgw.). 



