580 THE HUTCHINS GOOSE. 



confidence, that earlier the same season two pairs of White-cheeked Geese 

 (the western form of the Canada Goose) had successfully reared their broods 

 in the same nests. 



Canada Geese are readily domesticated and breed in captivity. The 

 following interesting notes on the habits of these Geese in captivity were 

 made by Mr. William Dutcher, in the Auk, 1 reporting in part the experience 

 of Captain Lane of Shinnecock Bay, Long Island : "Captain Lane has had 

 remarkable success in breeding Canada Geese in confinement, and has kindly 

 furnished me with the following information regarding their habits during 

 the breeding season : 'They make their nests of dried grass, raising them 

 about twelve inches from the ground. They feather them when they begin 

 to lay, which is about May I. None lay under three years old; the first 

 season four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when older six and 

 seven. A goose never has more than one mate. The gander never sits 

 on the nest, but while the goose is sitting never leaves her. The time of 

 incubation is four weeks. The young when hatched are strong enough to 

 take care of themselves, that is, they eat grass and walk and swim as soon 

 as they get dry. They will eat meal on the second day. They are in the 

 down four weeks, and are fully grown in six weeks. When swimming the 

 gamier goes ahead, the young next, and the goose follows, invariably.' " 



No. 280. 



HUTCHINS GOOSE. 



A. O. U. No. 172 a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.). 



Synonyms. LESSER CANADA GOOSE ; LITTLE WILD GOOSE. 



Description. Precisely similar to preceding species in coloration, but averag- 

 ing smaller. Length 25.00-34.00 (635. -863. 6) ; wing 17.00 431.8) ; tail 6.00 

 (152.4) ; bill 1.75 (44.5) ; tarsus 3.00 (76.2). 



Recognition Marks. Brant to Eagle size; like preceding form but smaller. 



Nesting. Does not breed in Ohio. Nest, on ground or in deserted nest of 

 Hawk or Crow, lined with grass and leaves or not, and with abundant down. 

 Eggs, 4-6, averaging lighter than those of B. canadensis. Av. size, 3.20 x 2.10 

 (81-3 * 53.3). 



General Range. North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and migrat- 

 ing- south in winter, chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi 

 Valley ; northeastern Asia. 



Range in Ohio. "Rare migrant, only recognized on Lake Erie" (Wheaton). 

 One recent example, a bird captured on Buckeye Lake. 



1 January, 1885, p. in. 



