Vol. XXXVIII 



1020 



Figgins, Races of Branta canadensis. 99 



It is now of interest to inquire if the frequently lentioned char- 

 acters, white collar, black throat-stripe and abrupt termina- 

 tion of the color on the under parts occur in true canadensis and to 

 what extent. 



Among the Nebraska, Colorado and Louisiana specimens exam- 

 ined by the present writer, three birds, measuring, wing 19.12 in., 

 culmen 2.16; wing 19.10, culmen 1.95; wing 18.55, culmen 2.02, 

 show a sharp, clear-cut line of separation between the white and 

 the color of the under parts. The first exhibits a very narrow 

 half collar. Two specimens measuring, wing 18.75, culmen 2.10; 

 wing 17.65, culmen 2.07, have broad, white collars. One specimen 

 measuring, wing, 19.10, culmen 1.95, is unusually dark on the under 

 parts and others are more or less mottled with grayish brown or 

 brownish gray. In nearly all examples of this character there is 

 a tendency towards abruptness of separation between the white and 

 the color of under parts. 



Regarding the black line on the throat, in two specimens it is 

 almost continuous. Others show a pronounced line of mottling. 

 In such specimens the feathers comprising the cheek-patches are 

 invariably tipped with black to a greater or less degree and there 

 is a tendency in such examples towards small wing or culmen meas- 

 urements, but never both; as for instance, wing 17.70, culmen 

 2.31; wing 19.10, culmen 1.95, etc. 



Three females with wing and culmen measurements within the 

 limits of hutchinsi have the under parts typically canadensis in 

 color, blending very gradually into the white of the anal region, 

 and are equally referable to the latter race. It therefore, seems 

 probable the variations in color and markings are due to causes 

 other than subspecific differences. 



Investigation of dates proves that birds taken in the early fall 

 exhibited far more mottling on the throat, black tipping of the 

 feathers o' 1 the cheeks and darker under parts. Such markings 

 lessened in direct ratio to the progress of the season until late April 

 specimens and breeding birds are typical of canadensis in every 

 respect. Instead of a line or mottling on the throat, the dark area 

 is reduced in late spring and summer specimens to a small dusky 

 brown, or dusky and white "U" on the chin — in one instance 

 the intermixture of white extends all the way to the bare area 

 between the mandibles. An examination of the feathers compris- 



