GEESE 



(169.1) Chen caerulescens 



ainii.) (Lat,, Ijluish). 



BLUE GOOSE; W H I T 1 

 HEADED GOOSE. Similar in m/l 

 and form to Snow Geese, of which it 

 was formerly supposed to be tliL 

 young. Ads. — Bill and feet carmine 

 red, the former with a black straining 

 edge. Plumage as shown; head, tail 

 and belly white, the forehead being 

 tinged with reddish-orange. Im — 

 Similar, but the whole head is diik 

 e.xcept for some white on the chin 

 L., 28.00; W., 16.00; B., 2.25. 



Range — Probably breeds in north 

 ern Ungava. Winters from 111. and 

 Neb. south to the Gulf. Rare 01 

 casual on both coasts. 



in plumage. They can walk easily, and feed chiefly upon 

 plant life. 



SNOW GEESE are handsome birds, white as the driven 

 snow, e.xcept for the black outer wing feathers. Sometimes, 

 too, the face will be tinged with rusty. The two sub-species, 

 one averaging considerably larger than the other, may be 

 found together in winter in the Mississippi Valley, from which 

 region their northern courses diverge, the smaller bird turn- 

 ing to the left of Hudson Bay while the larger one goes 

 to the right. When flying, the flock spreads out in the form 

 of a gentle curve rather than the V-shape used by most 

 geese. If going for a considerable distance they fly high 

 and sail a great deal. They are very wary at all times and 

 rarely can be induced to come to decoys. Their food con- 

 sists almost wholly of grasses, which they cut off with the 

 sharp edges of their bills, and tender roots of plants. At 

 times they do considerable damage to winter wheat when 

 large flocks of them settle down in a field. 



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