HUTCHINS' GOOSE 269 



HUTCHINS' GOOSE. 



(Branta canadensis hutchinsii.) 



This is a smaller variety of the common spe- 

 cies, more numerous to the westward than in 

 our section, though I believe by no means un- 

 common in our own territory. The habits and 

 mode of life of this bird are in every respect 

 identical with the typical bird and all that may 

 be said of one will apply with equal correctness 

 to the other. The main distinction between the 

 two lies in the smaller size and usually darker 

 color of this variety, and in the fact that it has 

 but from fourteen to sixteen feathers in the 

 tail, while the common goose is supplied with 

 eighteen or twenty. Length, wingspread and 

 all measurements average considerably smaller 

 than in the common Canada Goose. 



The scientific standing of this variety was for 

 some time considered doubtful, though it is now 

 conceded to rank as a subspecies. 



The bay gunners of eastern New England 

 waters distinguish between two races of Can- 

 adas, the ''long-necked geese" and the "short- 

 necked geese," the latter coming north, as a 



