AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 137 



CANADA GOOSE 



A. O. U. No. 172. (Branta canadensis.) 



RANGE. 



Throughout temperate North America, breeding in the Northern 

 United States and the British Provinces. Migrates south of the 

 United States in winter. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, about 3 feet; extent, 5 feet; tail, 7 in. Eye, brown. Bill 

 and feet, black. The general color above and below is a brownish gray, 

 rather lighter on the under parts and changing to white on the belly. 

 Head and neck, intense black. A broad patch of white extends across 

 the chin and upon the sides of the head, back of the eyes. A small 

 white spot is generally on each eyelid. The rump is whitish and the 

 tail black. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



According to the nature of the localities or the individual dispositions 

 of the birds, Canada Geese build their nests upon the sand, among the 

 taller grass away from the water or on brush heaps or low trees. 

 When placed upon the ground it is only a hollow scooped out of 

 sufiticient size to hold the three to eight eggs that are laid. A few 

 sticks are sometimes added around the circumference of this hollow, 

 probably more from force of habit than from any advantages to be 

 derived therefrom. When they build in trees they either use a deserted 

 heron's or osprey's nest, merely adding material enough to make it 

 tenantable. The nests are always softly lined with quantities of down. 

 The eggs are of a dull, brownish, green color. 



