HUTCHINS’ GOOSE 269 
HUTCHINS’ GOOSE. 
(Branta canadensis hutchinsii.) 
This is a smaller variety of the common spe- 
cies, more numerous to the westward than in 
our section, though I believe by no means un- 
common in our own territory. The habits and 
mode of life of this bird are in every respect 
identical with the typical bird and all that may. 
be said of one will apply with equal correctness 
to the other. The main distinction between the 
two lies in the smaller size and usually darker 
color of this variety, and in the fact that it has 
but from fourteen to sixteen feathers in the 
tail, while the common goose is supplied with 
eighteen or twenty. Length, wingspread and 
all measurements average considerably smaller 
than in the common Canada Goose. 
The scientific standing of this variety was for 
some time considered doubtful, though it is now 
conceded to rank as a subspecies. 
The bay gunners of eastern New England 
waters distinguish between two races of Can- 
adas, the ‘‘long-necked geese’’ and the ‘‘short- 
necked geese,’’ the latter coming north, as a 
