232 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



record for New York State has come to my notice. In winter it inhabits 

 the southern half of the United States. 



While most species of our wild ducks have been rapidly decreasing in 

 numbers, the wild goose has apparently held its own in New York, probably 

 because the breeding grounds of those geese which visit our State have not 

 yet been disturbed by the development of the northwest. Our geese 

 tmdoubtedly breed in western Labrador and the Hudson bay region and 

 cross the country at large in their migrations, not following the lakes as 

 much as the ducks which come to us from the interior. These birds are 

 often seen migrating at a great hight in their well known wedge or drag shaped 

 formation, taking a direct course for the desired destination. Mr Verplanck 

 Colvin noticed them during his Adirondack survey, taking a southward 

 course over the summit of Mt Marcy. The appearance of wild geese in the 

 fall is considered the certain forerunner of sharp weather, and in the spring 

 they invariably appear at the first breaking up of the ice in our bays and 

 marshes, the arrival being announced by their trumpetlike honkings. 



Geese feed on the scattered grain which is left unharvested, and the 

 tender shoots of winter wheat, and in spring on the seeds, roots and small 

 animals found in the flooded marshes, passing to the feeding grounds early 

 in the morning and late in the afternooon from the wide waters of the lakes 

 where they rest from their enemies. They are exceedingly wary birds, 

 some member of the flock always being on the watch for the slightest motion 

 or suspicious appearance. When disturbed on one feeding ground, they 

 immediately seek a safer pasturage, and they are rarely killed in any num- 

 bers in the interior of the State, except in very stormy or foggy weather, 

 when they sometimes lose their way or become confused and many are 

 then secured. 



Branta canadensis hutchinsi (Richardson) 

 Hutchins Goose 



Anser hutchinsii Richardson in Swainson & Richardson. Fauna Bor. Am. 



1831. 2:470 

 A n set h u t ch i n s i i DeKay. Zool. N. Y. 1844. pt 2, p. 352 

 B ran ta ca n adensis hut ch i nsii A. O. U. Check List. Ed. 2. 1895. No. 172a 



hutchinsi, of Mr Hutchins of the Hudson Bay Company 

 Description. Color exactly like the Canada goose; size smaller; tail 

 of 16 feathers (sometimes 14 or 18 feathers). 



