TOWNSEND AND ALLEN: LABRADOR BIRDS. 341 



In regard to the breeding of this goose, he adds that "according 

 to Indian report, a great breeding-ground for the blue wavy is the 

 country lying in the interior of the north-east point of Labrador, 

 Cape Dudley Digges. Extensive swamps and impassable bogs pre- 

 vail there; and the geese incubate on the more solid and the driest 



tufts dispersed over the morass, safe from the approach of man 



In May it frequents only James's Bay and the Eastmain of Labrador, 

 and it is probably the case that its hatching-ground is on the north- 

 west extremity of that peninsula, and the opposite and scarcely- 

 known coast of Hudson's Straits. In the autumn their bands, in- 

 creased six or sevenfold by the young, return by the same route." 



The region indicated as the breeding ground of the Blue Goose is 

 still, as then, a terra incognita. The slaughter of geese of this and 

 other species by the natives of the Hudson Bay shores is mentioned 

 under the heading " Bird and egg destruction." 



Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.). 

 American White-fronted Goose. 



Accidental visitor. 



The only record is that of Bigelow ('02, p. 28): an adult male 

 received from Dr. Heltasche, shot near Hopedale, May, 1900. 



Branta canadensis (Linn.). 

 Canada Goose; " Neklek " (Eskimo). 



Common summer resident; April 30 to November 25. 



The Canada Goose once bred abundantly throughout the length 

 and breadth of Labrador but the depredations of the fishermen along 

 the seacoast have caused it to desert this vulnerable region, and it is now 

 found breeding in the interior only or in the remote north and west. 

 Along the southern and the southern part of the eastern coast it occurs 

 now only as a migrant, but in Cartwright's day it was a common 

 summer resident in these regions. Cartwright has a good deal to 

 say about this species, and we have obtained from his journal a num- 

 ber of interesting records. As to date of arrival he records on May 4, 

 1775, at Charles Harbor: "I saw a goose this afternoon for the first 

 time. The spring is about three weeks later than usual." In 1776, 

 he records the first geese on April 30th. In 1779, the first geese flew 

 over on May 1st, and in 1786, on May 8th. 



