10 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 12 



white collar and black throat patch ascribed to oceidentalis in descrip- 

 tive literature, markings usually likened to those of minima, in which 

 they are frequently very strongly developed. 



At present the conclusion to which the accumulated facts and 

 specimens seem to point, is that there is a dark-colored, northwest 

 coast race of Branta canadensis, which occupies the immediate vicinity 

 of the coast, northwest at least to Prince William Sound, and for an 

 undetermined distance southward, though probably not occurring in 

 the summer farther south than the southern boundary of British 

 Columbia. The specimen which served as the type of Bernicla ocei- 

 dentalis Baird appears to be an example of this dark, coast race, but 

 is probably not truly representative of the form. Unfortunately some 

 of the most variable characters have been seized upon, and used as the 

 distinguishing marks of the subspecies, and consequently confusion 

 lias ensued in the attempt to fit the descriptions of this bird to the 

 more normal representatives of the race. 



Since so many of the water birds of the coast of southern Alaska 

 and British Columbia are resident the year through in that general 

 region, it is very probable that the white-cheeked goose belongs in the 

 same category. In a letter recently received from Mr. Allen E. Hassel- 

 borg, a resident of Juneau, Alaska, and familiar with the native birds 

 and mammals, he confirms this view, saying that the geese are about 

 as abundant in the Sitkan district in winter as in summer. During the 

 winter they frequent the more sheltered south- and west-facing bays 

 and inlets, avoiding localities exposed to the cold land winds, while 

 in summer they are of more general distribution. That this subspecies 

 does not perform as extensive migrations as other members of the group 

 is evident from its non-occurrence in California. If it occurs in this 

 state at all it should be found along the extreme northern coast. 



Keference to the literature treating of the geese of the Branta 

 canadensis group shows very little uniformity in results arrived at by 

 different writers. Among the various views expressed are the possi- 

 bilities: (1) that these geese all belong to one exceedingly variable 

 species; (2) that there are two species, canadensis with its race Jmtch- 

 insi, and oceidentalis with the race minima; (3) that there are four 

 species, perfectly distinct, but frequently hybridizing. In this con- 

 nection see Ridgway. 1884, p. 457. 



Study of the series of specimens examined in connection with the 

 present paper is strongly confirmatory of the belief expressed in the 

 nomenclatural treatment accorded the Branta canadensis group in the 



