52 DUCK SHOOTING. 



the size of the mallard duck, and weighing from two 

 and a half to three pounds. At a distance it is hard to 

 distinguish it from the snow goose, but the voice is 

 shriller, and the birds rise on the wing more readily 

 than most of the geese, springing into the air and going 

 upward more like mallards or black ducks than like 

 geese. The range of this goose is given in the books as 

 Arctic America in summer, and the Pacific coast to 

 Southern California in winter ; but, as a matter of fact, 

 not very much is known about it. It has been taken 

 quite frequently in California in winter, but is nowhere 

 abundant. 



In Northwestern Montana it is a common fall mi- 

 grant, coming rather later than the snow goose, and 

 being abundant on the heads of Milk River, Cutbank 

 and Two Medicine Lodge creeks through October and 

 the first half of November. A few years ago Mr. Jos. 

 Kipp captured there and partially domesticated no less 

 than nine of these birds, but unfortunately, before the 

 winter was over, all of them were killed by dogs. Dr. 

 J. C. Merrill tells us that this goose is not uncommon in 

 the vicinity of Fort Missoula, and Captain Bendire has 

 taken it in Eastern Oregon in the spring. It is not a 

 bird that is likely to be met with by sportsmen except in 

 the localities referred to, and there it is usually shot by 

 being approached under cover. 



I have seen it there in flocks of from seventy-five to 

 one hundred, and have known of sixteen birds falling 

 to the two discharges of a double-barreled gun. The 

 flesh of those that I have eaten was delicious. 



