1913] Swarth: Geese of California • V.) 



SUMMARY 



Briefly summarized, the following are the conclusions reached in 

 the present paper: 



(1) The geese of the Branta canadensis group are best regarded 

 as one species, Branta canadensis, with four subspecies, canadi nsis, 

 occidentalis, hutchinsi, and minima; this without attempting to go 

 into the problems involved in the nomenclature of the races — the ques- 

 tions arising as to the proper application of the names h ucopareia, 

 hutchinsi, minima and occidentalis — but accepting the usage adopted 

 in the 1910 edition of the A. 0. U. Check-List. 



(2) The status of the group in California is as follows: The form 

 found breeding in the state is Branta c. canadensis; the forms occur- 

 ring in winter are canadensis, hutchinsi, and minima. Contrary to 

 the statement repeated in practically all ornithological books dealing 

 with the subject, B. c. occidi ntalis dues not occur in California at 

 any season. 



(3) Branta c. occidi ntalis is a well-defined subspecies occupying 

 the humid, northwest coast region, where it is practically resident, 

 performing only the most limited migrations, or none at all. 



(4) In differentiating the subspecies of Branta canadensis undue 

 emphasis has heretofore been placed upon certain characters which are 

 for the most part too variable to be depended upon. Thus the cause 

 of the confusion which has existed relating to the true status of B. c. 

 occidentalis is partly due to mistaken ideas as to which are the most 

 nearly constant characters of the subspecies. A careful analysis of 

 many of the contradictory statements on record in regard to the sum- 

 mer habitats of B. c. hutchinsi and B. c. minima makes it appear 

 probable that this uncertainty also is largely due to misconceptions 

 as to the real characters of these forms. 



Transmitted February 6, 1913. 



