CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. I27 



172a. Hutchin Goose. 



Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.) Coues. 1872. 



This species, in company with the brant and snow goose, arrived 

 in great numbers on Wales sound, Hudson strait, September 6th, 

 1885, but was gone in a few days. (Payne.) Fort Churchill, Hud- 

 son bay. (Dr. R. Bell.) Several flocks of geese referred to this 

 species were seen on the Barren Grounds near Hubbard point. 

 (Preble.) Numerous in the spring aboiit FuUerton, Hudson bay. 

 (A . P. Low.) Rare in spring and fall in southern Ontario. A female 

 taken at Toronto, Ont., October 19th, 1905. (/. H. Fleming.) 



Common in spring and fall in Manitoba. (E. T. Seton.) This 

 species has become fairly plentiful within recent years at Aweme, 

 Man., and to some extent has taken the place of the Canada goose. 

 They come down on to the stubble fields about the end of Septem- 

 ber and leave as soon as the small lakes freeze over. (Criddle.) 

 First seen in small flocks at Deep lake, Indian Head, Sask., April 

 29th; it never became common and all were gone by May 15th. 

 (Spreadborough.) Very common around the shores and on the 

 islands of the Arctic sea, and does not frequent the fresh-water lakes 

 of the interior in summer. (Richardson.) This species is very com- 

 mon in Alaska, breeding abundantly in the Yukon delta and north- 

 ward. Faimin and Brooks report it as an abundant spring and fall 

 migrant, wintering on the coast of British Columbia. The former 

 claims it as a resident, but Brooks says these are non-breeding birds. 



Breeding Notes. — Over fifty nests of this species were found on 

 the lower Anderson river as well as on the shores and islands of the 

 Arctic sea; almost all were placed on the earth and composed of 

 dry hay, feathers and down. The usual number of eggs was six. 

 (Macfarlane.) Found breeding on Southampton island in end of 

 June. Nests in swampy ground, built of moss and grass. (^4. P. 

 Low.) 



Dall says they choose in Alaska,, the hill tops for their breeding 

 places. He secured eggs on June 15th and the unfledged young 

 July loth. The nesting habits, notes, and general mode of life of 

 the Hutchin goose are identical with those of B. minima, so they 

 need not be specially referred to here. (Nelson.) 



