84 



North American Birds Eggs. 



I 7 I a. American White-fronted Goose. A user albifrons gambeli. 



Range. — Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and winter- 

 ing south to the Gulf coast ; not common on the Atlantic coast during migra- 

 tions. 



These birds may be recognized bj' their mottled plumage, dark head and 

 white forehead. This species is more abundant than any of the preceding and 

 nests in large colonies along the Arctic coast and in Alaska. Their nests are 

 made of dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed on the ground in a 

 slight depression. From four to nine eggs are laid ; these have a dull buff 

 ground. Size 3.00 x 2.05. Date. — Island in delta of Mackenzie River, June 10, 

 1899. Four eggs. Nest of grass and feathers on the ground on a small island. 

 Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer. 



[ I 7 I . I .] Bean Goose. A nser fabialis. 



This European species is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the most 

 common of the Old World species. 



172. Canada Goose. Branto canadensis. 



Range.— The whole of North America, breeding from northern United States 

 northward, and wintering in the southern parts of the United States. 



This species is the most widely known of American Geese and is the most 

 aVnindant. Its familiar "honk" has long been regarded as the signal of the 

 coming of spring, and the familiar V-shaped formation in which the flocks 

 migrate is always an object of interest to everyone. With the exception of in 

 northern Dakota and Minnesota, they breed chiefly north of the United States. 

 They construct quite a large nest of weeds and grass, and warmly line it with 

 down and feathers. Thev lav from four to nine eggs of a buff or drab color. 

 Size about 3.50 x 2.50. Data.— Ellingsars Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. 

 Five eggs. Nest on an island in the lake, constructed of weeds and trash, and 

 lined with a few feathers. Collector, Edwin S. Bryant. 



[Bufty drab. I 



