WATER BIRDS. 117 
in some of the older lists (Kneeland, 1857), and Stockwell states that it is 
“common in Michigan” (Forest and Stream, VIII, 23, 380). The bird is 
not now common anywhere in the Great Lake region, in fact in most places 
it appears to be only accidental. Kumlien & Hollister say “Formerly an 
exceedingly abundant spring and fall migrant, but of late years not at all 
plenty. Frequents the large prairie corn-fields” (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 28). 
It breeds in the far north, building a nest on the ground, of grass, weeds, 
etc., lined with down. The eggs are six or seven, greenish-yellow, and 
average 3.16 by 2.07 inches. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
“Adult: Fore part of head, all round, to about half way across lores and forehead, 
white; rest of head grayish brown (darkest next the white) as are also the neck and upper 
parts, the latter varied by distinct grayish tips to the feathers; lower parts grayish white, 
blotched or irregularly spotted with black; anal region, crissum and tail-coverts white; 
greater wing-coverts ash-gray tipped with white; secondaries blackish edged with white; 
upper and under tail-coverts white; tail dusky, tipped with white; bill light colored (yellow- 
ish or orange in life) with white nail; feet light colored (orange or reddish in life). Young: 
Similar to adult, but fore part of head dusky instead of white, lower parts without black 
markings, and nail of bill dusky. 
Length 27 to 30 inches, wing 14.25 to 17.50; culmen 1.80 to 2.35, depth of upper mandible 
at base .90 to 1.20, width .85 to 1.05, tarsus 2.60 to 3.20.” (Ridgway). 
61. Canada Goose. Branta canadensis canadensis (Linn.). (172) 
Synonyms: Wild Goose, Common Wild Goose, Big Gray Goose, Honker.—Anas 
canadensis, Linn., 1758.—Anser canadensis, Vieill., Nutt., Aud.—Bernicla canadensis, 
Boie, Baird, Ridgw., and others. 
Figure 80. 
KIknown from any but Hutchins’ 
Goose by its black head and neck 
and white “cravat,’’ from this form 
by its greater size, the weight rang- 
ing from eight to twelve pounds. 
Distribution.—Temperate North 
America, breeding in the north- 
ern United States and British Prov- 
inces; south in winter to Mexico. 
This is the Common Goose or Wild 
Goose of the country and is familiar 
to even the most unobservant from 
the fact that it passes northward in 
the spring and southward in the fall 
in large noisy flocks which fly 
ordinarily in the shape of a V, the 
two sides of which are seldom equal. 
It is usually stated that an old 
gander always serves as the leader 
and pilots the flock on their semi- 
annual pilgrimages. This may be 
true, but it is certain that different 
members of the flock act as leaders ene fas ete Na 
at different times, and it BS not From epaeraait of mounted specimen. 
likely that any one individual 18 ~ Oniginal.) 
invariably responsible for the direction of the flock. 
