638 KEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



second day. They are in the down four weeks and are fully grown in 

 six weeks. When swimming, the gander goes ahead, the young next 

 and the goose follows invariably." 



The following records taken from English Lake, are given: The first 

 was killed in 1881, February 16; 1886, March 17; 1887, March 13; 

 1889, common March 9, had been present several days; 1891, first seen 

 February 14; 1892, February 27; 1894, February 22 at (Tolleston, 

 Lake County); 1896, February 2. 



They arrive on our marshes in September, but in the southern part 

 of the State are seldom seen until after the middle of October. They 

 remain until the first cold snap, then the great body pushes on towards 

 the Gulf of Mexico. 



*56. (172a). Branta canadensis hutchinsii (8y. & RICH.). 



Hutchin's Goose. 

 Synonyms, LESSER CANADA GOOSE, LITTLE WILD (TUOSK. 



Similar to last species; much smaller and tail feathers usually 14 

 or 16. 



Length, about 25.00-34.00; wing, 14.75-17.75; bill, 1.20-1.90; tar- 

 sus, 2.25-3.20. 



RANGE. North America; breeds in Arctic regions and Alaska, 

 where center of abundance is along lower Yukon, and thence south to 

 the Kuskoquin. (Nelson.) Winters in southern United States. 



Nest, similar to last. Eggs, 4-6; white; 3.18 by 2.10. 



Migrant and occasional winter resident; formery common; now 

 rarely seen. These geese are commonly called by hunters "Brant." 



In 1879 Dr. A. W. Brayton noted it as common. (Trans. Ind. Hort. 

 Soc., 1879, p. 178.) Mr. E. J. Chansler informs me that they were 

 formerly common in Knox County, especially in the fall. In 1891 he 

 saw a large flock of them in Gibson County. They were quite common 

 the winter of 1893-4 and the fall of 1896. Mr. Chansler says even 

 when they are not near enough to be distinguished by their smaller 

 size, they can be recognizd by their voices, which are finer and more 

 resembles that of the domestic goose. He says he has often seen them 

 flying with Canada Geese and with Mallard Ducks. They appear in 

 the northern part of the State in September, and reach the lower 

 Wabash Valley from October 25 to 27, and the length of their stay 

 depends upon the weather. 



In spring they go north in March. The last record I have is from, 

 Knox County, March 18, 1897. 



