Goose-shooting 243 



differs from the Hutchins' goose in the black bar 

 separating the white cheek patches, and in having 

 a white collar about the neck. Both of these are 

 wanting in the Hutchins'. It also averages some- 

 what smaller, being next to the Ross's goose, the 

 smallest of our geese. 



This goose ranges from the mouth of the 

 Yukon along the coast to southern California, 

 and in localities is a common variety. Through 

 the Mississippi Valley the bird occurs but rarely. 

 The summer home is in Alaska, about the mouth 

 of the Yukon, where it breeds in large numbers, 

 and quantities of the birds and eggs are taken by 

 the natives for food. The nest is on the ground, 

 generally close to water, and composed of grass 

 or reeds, and lined with down. The young birds 

 are hatched in early July, and by September are 

 gathered in flocks, appearing along our Pacific 

 Coast early in October. The note distinguishes 

 it from the larger geese, being a low honk. 

 The flesh is excellent. 



COMMON BRANT 

 (^Branta bernicla) 



Similar to Branta bernicla glaucogastra, but with the lower parts as 

 dark as in Branta nigricans ; the white on the neck, however, 

 not meeting in front. 



Habitat — Breeds "in the Taimur Peninsula, Siberia, in Nova 

 Zembla, Franz-Josef Land, and Spitzbergen." (Seebohm fide 

 Coues.) Passes south in the winter on the coasts of Asia and 



