GEESE 2097 



to the British Islands, and occasionally found as far south as Spain and Italy. How 

 far eastward it extends in Northern Asia is at present unknown; while there is no 

 definite information as to its breeding, although it probably nests in Nova Zembla, 

 Spitzbergen, and the regions still further north. It probably also breeds in Green- 

 land, being occasionally found on the Atlantic coasts of North America. A fourth 

 very distinct representative of the genus is the Canada brent goose (B. canadensis} , 

 easily recognized by its black head and neck, with a large triangular patch of white 

 on each cheek, usually joined by a band beneath the throat, but sometimes sepa- 

 rated by a narrow black line. Occasionally there is also a white collar encircling 

 the lower part of the neck. As regards the rest of the plumage, the tail, rump, 

 and primaries are brownish black, the upper tail coverts and region of the vent 

 white, and the remainder grayish brown, lighter below than above, with the tips of 

 the feathers paler. This goose, which is very variable in size and coloration, 

 inhabits the whole of North America, as far south as Mexico. Very different from 

 all the above is the handsome bird known as the red-breasted goose (B. ruficollis), 

 which may be recognized by the black forehead, white lores, and the rich chestnut 

 of the neck and upper breast bordered above with white. The ear coverts have also 

 an angular patch of chestnut bordered with white; the upper parts are blackish 

 brown; the top of the head, part of the sides of the face, the back of the neck, the 

 throat, the primaries, tail feathers, and lower breast are black; and the upper and 

 lower tail coverts and the abdomen white. In length this bird measures from 

 twenty-one to twenty-two inches. Its native home is the tundras of Siberia, whence 

 it wanders occasionally during the winter to Scandinavia, Northern Germany, Hol- 

 land, the British Islands, and other parts of Europe. 



H bit From being such exclusively- Arctic birds, our acquaintance with the 



habits of the more typical brent geese is not so intimate as would be 

 desirable. In Europe during the winter they generally frequent the neighborhood 

 of the coasts, although at times penetrating some distance inland. Usually collecting 

 at this season in considerable flocks, these birds always indicate their near presence 

 by the constant gaggling kept up as they feed, or by the hoarse cronk of their call 

 note. The food of the bernicle goose consists chiefly of grass and bents growing 

 on the sand hills; while the brent goose eats seaweeds and other water plants, as 

 well as crustaceans and other small aquatic creatures. On the other hand, the 

 Canada goose subsists largely on berries and corn. During its migrations the lat- 

 ter species assembles in flocks, which unite to form a vast column, with each sec- 

 tion under an appointed leader. At such times they generally fly throughout the 

 night, although occasionally resting in the daytime. When about to alight, pioneers 

 descend from the flock to select a favorable and safe feeding ground, and during 

 the whole time that it is on the ground, the flock is guarded by sentinels. The 

 watchfulness of these guardians renders a flock of Canada geese almost impossible 

 to approach by stalking; and the plan adopted in many parts of the States is to 

 dig pits in a stubble field, in which the sportsmen take up their position surrounded 

 by a number of decoys. The geese are then shot during their morning and even- 

 ing flights from lake to lake, when they are attracted within easy range by the 

 decoys. In the Magdalen islands this species makes its nest in marshy plains, occa- 

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