70 WATER FOWL. 



the procession of Water Fowl as it moves, morning and 

 evening, to and from its feeding grounds. The flocks 

 are often approached by the sportsman, who keeps him- 

 self hidden behind an ox trained to walk slowly along, 

 feeding as it goes, until their vicinity is reached and the 

 gun can be discharged with deadly effect. Sometimes 

 a wagon, drawn by oxen, can be driven near enough to 

 bring the birds well within range. In Texas this Goose 

 is also common, but upon the Atlantic coast is not fre- 

 quently met with, so far as my experience goes. It may 

 have been more common years ago in certain localities, 

 and there may be others it occasionally visits at the pres- 

 ent time, but I regard it as a scarce bird in the Eastern 

 States. 



Hutchins' Goose is known to sportsmen and baymen 

 under various names, many of which are bestowed on 

 account of its small size. Some of these are, Lesser 

 Canada Goose, Small Gray Goose, Little Wild Goose, 

 etc. It is also known as Bay Goose, Prairie Goose, Mud 

 Goose, and Eskimo Goose in the far North; Winter 

 Goose, Flight Goose, and Goose Brant. The specimens 

 of this bird vary somewhat in their measurements, but 

 the largest of them is only a miniature representation of 

 the Canada Goose. The flesh of this species is excellent, 

 and when the bird has become fat, feeding upon the ten- 

 der grasses and water plants, it is a most desirable ad- 

 dition to a menu. The eggs are pure white in color, and 

 of an oval form. Among the Aleutians this bird is called 

 the Tundrina Goose. 



BRA NT A CANADENSIS HUTCHINSII. 



Geographical Distribution. Western North America from 

 the Arctic Sea, through the United States from the Valley of the 

 Mississippi to the Pacific, and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Rare 



