304 ANATIDjE : SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 



LESSER CANADA GOOSE. 



Bernicla CANADENSIS HUTCHiNSi {Rich.) Coues. 



Chars. Tail usually i6-feathered. Colors exactly as in the 

 Canada Goose, but size less. About 30.00 long; wing, 15.00- 

 17.00; tail, 5.00-6.00; bill, 1.33J-1.66I ; tarsus rather under 

 3.00. North American, but chiefly northern and western. 



This doubtful species may be found in New England 

 in limited numbers. It was regarded by Nuttall as 

 a straggler on our coast ; Giraud says it is quite abundant 

 some seasons on the coast of Massachusetts, Linsley 

 records it from Connecticut ; Coues remarks, " Spring and 

 autumn migrant. Not abundant." Dr. Brewer regards 

 it as formerly more abundant than at present. Mr. Mer- 

 riam refers to it as "Southern Goose," and adds, "not 

 uncommon, ' Stratford,' Conn.," (Linsley). Mr. Geo. 

 Bird Grinnell tells me that the hunters about Milford, 

 Conn., all make a distinction between the common or 

 Canada Goose, and the Southern Goose ; that the 

 latter do not arrive until after the Canada Geese have all 

 come, and that they do not stay long, but pass South- 

 ward, : — hence their name" (Rev. B. Conn., 1877, p. 

 122). 



THE MALLARD. 

 Anas boscas Linn. 



Chars. Male : head and neck glossy-green, surrounded by a white 

 collar ; breast purplish-chestnut ; tail-feathers mostly whitish ; 

 greater wing-coverts tipped with black and white ; speculum 

 violet, bordered with black ; bill greenish-yellow ; feet orange- 



