316 XJPLAiiD SHOOTiisra. 



ever found east of the Mississippi River, and, in these 

 days, is by no means common in Nebraska, Dakota, or 

 other Western -States. During the first few years of set- 

 tlement of these States, they were very abundant, but 

 for the past few years seem to have surrendered the ter- 

 ritory to their cousins — the Canadas and the snow-geese. 

 They generally arrive from the North early in September, 

 a few weeks in advance of the Canadas and Hutchins, 

 and leave for the South as much earlier. They breed 

 north of the 60th parallel, in the wooded districts, and 

 are found in great numbers in Alaska during the sum- 

 mer. Their favorite winter home is Mexico and the 

 Pacific Slope. 



Canada goose (common wild goose — big gray goose — 

 honker). Head, neck, bill, and legs, black; patch about 

 throat, and feathers above and below tail, white; upper 

 parts of plumage, principally brown, this fading into 

 light gray bene&th; brown of rump and tail, darker, or 

 blackish. Length, thirty-six to forty inches; weight, ten 

 to eighteen pounds. 



Hutchins goose (lesser Canada goose — small gray 

 goose — ^prairie goose — little wild goose). A small variety of 

 the common T\dld goose, and in appearance, excepting 

 size, like it in all respects. Length, about twenty-seven 

 inches; extent, forty-eight inches; weight, seven to ten 

 pounds. 



I have grouped the description of these two birds 

 together, in that they are both known as the Canada or 

 common wild goose; but Avhile the true Canada goose 

 is common to all parts of the United States, the Hutcliins 

 goose is only found west of the Mississippi, I believe, 

 and throughout Dakota and Nebraska is more often met 

 with than the larger variety. The Hutchins goose breeds 

 in the Arctic regions, while the Canadas breed in isolated 

 lakes and streams throughout portions of the United 



