76 



the bills, but it requires specimens for comparison for its appreciation. Though often 

 incorrectly recorded the Greater Snow goose is a very scarce bird. It is the extreme eastern 

 form of the species and can only be expected along the Atlantic coast. 



The name "Wavey" is a corruption of the Indian word "Wa-wa," 

 meaning Wild Goose. 



169.1. Blue Goose. FR. L'OIE BLEUE. Chen coerulescens. L, 26. Slaty-grey 

 body, wave-marked with lighter feather edges on back and more or less so below: slate 

 colour strongest on wings and rump; head white. Juvenile similar but head and neck 

 greyish-brown. The bill shows in slightly reduced degree the teeth serrations of the Snow 

 Goose. 



Distinctions. The combination of white head contrasted with blue-grey wings does 

 not occur in any other eastern American Goose. 



Field Marks. White head and darker body probably best field marks. 



Nesting. On ground. 



Distribution. Seems to be confined in breeding season to the east of Hudson bay; a . 

 rare migrant on the Great Lakes on its way to or from the Mississippi valley. 



For a long time the Blue Goose was thought to be only a juvenile 

 plumage of the Snow Goose, but is now recognized as a separate species. 



171a. White-fronted Goose. PR. L'OIE A FRONT BLANC. Anser albifrons. L, 27. 

 Greyish-brown, darker on head and neck, lighter below, white patch about base of bill; 

 light colour of underparts irregularly blotched with black aggregating in maturity into 

 indefinite bands giving an immature effect to even adult birds. 



Distinctions. Brown head and white face. 



Field Marks. General brownness and white face mark. 



Nesting. On ground. 



Distribution. The White-fronted Goose is a nearly circumpolar species. The Ameri- 

 can subspecies breeds on the western Arctic mainland and islands. Migrates through the 

 interior of the continent and is found rarely as far east as the Great Lakes. 



SUBSPECIES. Our representative, the American White-fronted Goose A. a. gambeli, 

 is a subspecies of the European White-fronted Goose from which it is said to be distinguished 

 by its slightly larger size. 



172. Canada Goose. WILD GOOSE. GREY GOOSE. PR. LA BERNACHE otr CANADA, 

 OTJTARDE. Branta canadensis. L, 35. Plate V B. 



Distinctions. Large size, black head and neck, white throat and cheek patch. 



Field Marks. Black head and neck and white throat patch. A white V over the tail, 

 displayed when flying, will separate the members of this genus from any of the larger ducks. 



Nesting. On ground, occasionally in large deserted nests in trees. 



Distribution. Breeds across the continent from the northern tree limit to the borders 

 of settlement. 



SUBSPECIES. The Canada Goose is divided into several geographical races- 

 In the west, there is a small subspecies called Hutchins's Goose B. c. hutchinsi. It is said 

 to have a different note and to be quite recognizable in life by experienced hunters. Its 

 smaller size is an uncertain criterion but is the only distinction that can be given here. 

 Its length averages under 25 inches. It is to be expected only as far east as Manitoba 

 and its identification elsewhere should be made with great caution. 



The goose is a wary and watchful bird, usually spending the day well 

 out in the open water, coming in to the marshes and cultivated fields to 

 feed at night or in the evening and unless disturbed remaining until well 

 into the next day. While so engaged there is always at least one with 

 long neck upstretched surveying the surrounding country for danger and 

 an unobserved approach by even the most experienced stalker is next to 

 impossible. On this account the Canada Goose has perhaps suffered less 

 from hunters than other members of its order and until its remaining 

 breeding grounds are invaded there is little danger of its being exterminated. 



