126 GEESE 



gabble, continued during the flapping descent and until the flock ad- 

 justs itself to its new surroundings. Tule Geese fly rather close to the 

 ground, at least over the marshy country, seldom attaining an elevation 

 of more than 200 feet and usually much less. Particularly when flying 

 along sloughs, which they are wont to do, they seldom exceed 50 or 

 100 feet and often proceed only a few yards over the surface. This habit 

 may be because their flights here are less protracted than those of the 

 other form, and suggests that they may be more easily obtained, which 

 is doubtless the case, though offset by the remote nature of their 

 surroundings." 



Flocks of Tule Geese are composed of fewer individuals than those 

 of White-fronts. The same writer says: "Six to eight birds is probably 

 the mode [the usual number] of the former, with twelve the highest 

 number observed by me, and pairs rather numerous, while the latter form 

 is often seen in much larger gatherings. . . . The voice of the Tule Goose 

 ... is noticeably harsher and coarser than that of the White-fronted 

 Goose, as might be expected in a larger bird, and to me it is more sten- 

 torian. It does not seem to be so noisy a bird as the smaller form and 

 landings are accompanied with much less cackling than those above de- 

 scribed, being executed, in some cases, in absolute silence. . . . The Tule 

 Goose is less shy than the White-fronted, often decoying without the 

 usual wary circling of the latter." 



