304 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 27. 



Macoun records that a specimen was shot on Red Deer River, Al- 

 berta, September 12, 1896, by Dippie." Reed records eggs taken on 

 an island in the delta of the Mackenzie June 10, 1899, by I. (). 

 Stringer.'' Seton noted the bird on Aylmer Lake, August 15, 1907.'' 



Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. 



This wide-ranging species breeds in suitable places throughout 

 the wooded portion of the region and constitutes an important 

 article of food of the inhabitants. It is the earliest goose to arrive 

 in spring, and its advent marks a welcome break in the monotonous 

 winter bill of fare. Though associating with the smaller Hutchins 

 goose during the latter part of the migrating season, it usually 

 arrives before that form. The records of spring arrival of ' geese ' 

 or ' Canada geese' refer almost exclusively to this species, the others 

 being designated by different names. 



Tn 1901 we observed migrating flocks at Sturgeon River, Alberta, 

 May 1 ; on the Athabaska. 50 miles below Athabaska Landing, Ma} 7 T; 

 and on the lower Athabaska May 17. While at our various camps 

 in the vicinity of Fort Chipewyan, May 18 to June 5, we occasionally 

 saw small flocks, and we started a very large one on the Quatre 

 Fourches marsh May 23. While descending Slave River we saw a 

 pair a short distance above Smith Landing June 13, and observed 

 small flocks at Smith Landing June 1G and 17, and at Fort Smith 

 June 19. While on our way to Great Slave Lake we saw several 

 females with young the size of teals on the lower Slave on July 3. 

 Later we saw small flocks at Fort Resolution July 8, and at the 

 mouth of Slave River July 9. When Ave were ascending the Atha- 

 baska on our return trip a small flock was seen below Grand Rapids 

 August 20. 



In the spring of 1903 Ave first noted the Canada goose on the Atha- 

 baska, 50 miles beloAv Athabaska Landing, on May 17, noting a 

 small flock. We noted a feAv on the loAver Athabaska May 31, and 

 several near the mouth of the river June.l. We saw it next on Slave 

 River, near Smith Landing, June 10. Small flocks Avere seen on 

 lower Slave River on June 17 and 19, and a few at Fort Resolution 

 June 22, 23, and 24. During my trip nortliAvard from Fort Rae I 

 observed it on but one occasion, noting a small flock just south of 

 MacTavish Bay on August 24. 



In the spring of 1904 the first goose was reported at Fort Simpson 

 April 22, and the next April 20. The species was common by May 3. 

 and large flocks passed northward daily from this date on. While 



Cat. Canadian Birds. Part I, p. 118, 1900. 

 b N. A. Birds' Eggs, p. 84, 1004. 

 c Auk, XXV, ]». 70, 1908. 



