Li( iL Swarth, Races of Branta canadensis. [ April 



Of course there are " intergrades " in collections — many of them. 

 Is that not one of our tests for subspecies? It is my own main 

 reason for regarding the four forms, canadensis, occidentalis , hutch- 

 insi and minima, as subspecies of the one species, Branta canaden- 

 sis. 



In the foregoing discussion my comments have pertained mainly 

 to the subspecies occidentalis, but Mr. Figgins' contentions re- 

 garding hutchinsi are, I believe, just as much open to criticism. 

 I submit that Mr. Figgins has not proved his points. Furthermore 

 he has not described his Mississippi Valley specimens sufficiently 

 explicitly to enable anyone else to form an opinion regarding them, 

 nor, for that matter, to know just what Mr. Figgins himself thinks 

 of any particular one. 



I hope it is not necessary for me to say that I do not regard my 

 previously published paper on the races of Branta canadensis as 

 the last word on the subject. In one respect I admit that it would 

 be difficult to make me change my view — in regard to Branta c. 

 occidentalis. I have handled enough specimens of that race, in 

 the field and in the museum, to be fully satisfied of its distinctive- 

 ness as a subspecies of Branta canadensis, whatever name we may 

 eventually apply to the form. Of hutchinsi and minima, breeding 

 birds from many points and a study of breeding conditions are 

 admittedly necessary to a full understanding of their status. 



I may say that my own views upon this subject have been criti- 

 cised before. Once, at least, in print, by Brooks (Condor, XVI, 

 1914, p. 123), and in letters to me by others. In each case, 

 however, the suggested correction was the recognition as species 

 of forms that I regard as subspecies. I still think that, in the lack 

 of sufficient breeding birds of certain of the races, my method of 

 treatment, which is the same as that in the A. O. U. 'Check-list,' is 

 the most reasonable course to follow. That is, to regard Branta 

 canadensis as a variable species, divided into four recognizable 

 subspecies, canadensis, occidentalis, hutchinsi, and minima. 



Musevm of Vertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, California. 



