348 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
GENUS ANSER. Brisson. 
Bill as long as, or shorter than the head, somewhat higher than broad, subcylindrical, flattened 
towards the tip, and deflected : nostrils a little behind the middle. Neck moderately long. 
Teeth short, conic, acute. Lores feathered. Wings moderate, acute, sometimes spurred. 
Tarsus moderate. 
THE WILD GOOSE. 
Anser canadensis. 
PLATE CVI. FIG. 237. 
Anser canadensis. Willughby, Orn. p. 276, pi. 70. 
Canada Goose. Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 544. 
A. id. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 53, pi. 67, fig. 4. Bonatakte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 377. Aub. 
B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 178, pi. 376. Nottall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 348. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 
2, p. 468. 
Characteristics. Dark ash: head, neck and tail black ; cheeks and throat white ; bill and 
feet black. Tail of 18 feathers. Length, 41 "0. 
Description. Bill shorter than the head, subconical, depressed at the tip. Tibia bare for 
a short distance. Tarsus 3'5, slightly compressed. Wings with a slight protuberance : 
second quill longest. Tail very short, rounded, with 18 pointed feathers. 
Color. Head, the largest portion of the neck, quills, rump and tail black. Wings and 
back dark brown, with paler edges. Sides of the rump, upper and under tail-coverts pure 
white. Beneath yellowish grey or dusky white. Female, similarly marked, but the colors 
not so vivid. 
Length, 40'0 — 42*0. 
The Wild Goose observes the usual migrations of its tribe, but breeds through a very 
extensive range of country. It was noticed breeding in Missouri by Mr. Nuttall. It breeds 
sparingly from Mississippi to Nova-Scotia, according to Mr. Audubon, and abundantly in 
Labrador and between the 60th and 70th parallels of latitude. It appears with us in large 
flocks late in the autumn from the North, and remains until the bays are frozen over, affording 
much amusement to the sportsmen, and profit to the gunners who pursue it as a business. 
They return in the earliest spring, and soon migrate again to the North. The eggs are dull 
yellowish green. It is frequently kept in a state of domestication, and mates with the common 
grey goose, producing hybrids which are much esteemed. It ranges across the continent, 
and from 26° to 70° north latitude. 
