58 . .BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



A fine specimen was taken in Minnehaha County and 

 sent to the Museum in 1916 by Mr. C. J. Stringham of Sioux 

 Falls. 



170. Ross's Goose (Chen rossi.) 



A straggler in South Dakota, but specimens were taken 

 in Miner County in 1890 by Mr. F. A. Patton. 



The Ross Snow Goose is much like the Snow Goose in 

 color but the bird is smaller, and the bill noticeably shorter. 



171a. White- FRONTED Goose (Anser albifrons gambeli.) 



Size of 169.1. Forehead white; back gray; breast and un- 

 der parts light gray spotted with black. 



172. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis canadensis.) 



The Canada Goose is the species most popularly known 

 as the "Wild Goose" and has always nested in the State. 



It is the largest of the Goose family, the last to go south 

 and the first to come north in migration. The loud "honk, honk," 

 is the foreword of spring. In the southern part of the State the 

 Canada Goose remains until January, or until the last "airholes" 

 freeze over in the Missouri River. In these they rest during the 

 night and much of the day. At daybreak they can usually be 

 seen going out to their feeding grounds. 



Length up to forty inches; head and neck bkck, except 

 throat and cheeks, which are white ; body bluish gray but lighter 

 underneath. 



172a. HuTCHiNs's Goose (Branta canadensis hutchinsi.) 



Similar to 172 but smaller. Length about thirty inches. 

 Seen only in migration. Breeds in the Arctic regions. 



172c. Cackling Goose (Branta canadensis minima.) 



Similar to 172a but smaller, with black throat. 

 Length twenty-four inches. A western variety; breeds 

 in Alaska ; migrant in South Dakota. 



173a. Brant (Branta bemicla glaucogastra.) 



A rare straggler in our .State; breeds in Alaska and mi- 

 grates east of this territory. Head and breast black; white 

 patches on sides of neck; back gray; under parts nearly white. 



