8« BIRDS 



a floating nest, from which the parent quickly swims at the 

 approach of danger. The eggs, six to twelve in number, 

 are immense for the size of the bird, even exceeding those of 

 the large mallard and canvas-back. The granulated shell 

 lacks the oily polish found on most duck eggs. 



THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE* 



White-fronted or Laughing Geese are found in consid- 

 erable numbers on the prairies of the Mississippi Valley. 

 They are called Prairie Brant by market-men and gunners. 

 Though not abundant on the Atlantic seaboard, vast flocks 

 may be seen in the autumn months on the Pacific Slope. 

 In Oregon and northern California, some remain all winter, 

 though the greater number go farther south. They appear 

 to prefer the grassy patches along streams flowing into the 

 ocean, or the tide-water flats so abundant in Oregon and 

 Washington, where the Speckle-belhes, as they are called, 

 feed in company with the Snow Geese. The nesting place 

 of this favorite species is in the wooded districts of Alaska 

 and along the Yukon River. No nest is formed, from seven 

 to ten eggs being laid in a depression in the sand. 



It is said that notwithstanding all references to their 

 ungainly movement and doltish intellect, the wild goose, of 

 which the white-fronted is one of the most interesting, is 

 held in high estimation by the sportsman, and even he, if 

 keen of observation, will learn from it many things that will 

 entitle the species to advancement in the mental grade. 

 There is probably no bird more cautious, vigilant, and fear- 

 ful at danger than this. 



