222 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFORNIA 



or about twenty cents apiece (Calif. Fish. Comm., 1896, pp. 41, 42). In 

 1909-10 (October 2 to March 5) one company handled 8,053 of the 

 birds. In 1910-11 the prices paid ranged from $1.50 to $7.00 per dozen. 

 In 1912-13 these geese sold for 65 cents to $1.00 per pair on the Los 

 Angeles markets (E. J. Fischer in letter). In 1850 these geese sold 

 at $1.00 to $1.50 per pair (Newberry, 1857, p. 102) which, considering 

 the high prices prevailing during the gold rush, suggests that these 

 birds were then very easily obtained. 



This species is said to be easily approached by the gunner, and 

 so is readily procured. Nevertheless some ruse, such as hiding behind 

 a grazing steer, has usually been resorted to in order to make a big 

 killing. This method of approach, known as "buU-huntiag," was 

 formerly widely employed by market hunters in procuring geese. It 

 is now prohibited by law. Pits dug in the ground in localities over 

 which the birds are known to fly regularly, are most often used as 

 blinds in hunting geese. 



A brisk market demand as well as ease of capture has been instru- 

 mental in greatly reducing the numbers of this goose visiting Califor- 

 nia. There is probably not now more than one bird to a hundred that 

 used to be found in the state. With no protection whatever until 1915, 

 it is no wonder that we have lost the greater proportion of thes^ 

 valuable game birds. It remains to be seen whether our present laws 

 will be sufBeient to enable the species to maintain itself or increase 

 toward its former abundance. 



Canada Goose 



Branta canadensis canadensis (Linnaeus) 



Other names — Honker; Hunter; Mexican Goose; Big Mexican Goose; White- 

 cheeked Goose; Bernicla canadensis ; Branta canadensis occidentalis. 



Description — Adults, both sexes: Whole head and neck shiny black, except 

 for large white patch on each cheek which usually meets its fellow across the 

 throat; chin usually blackish; iris brown; bill black; general color of upper 

 surface brownish gray, each feather narrowly tipped with gray or whitish; 

 rump black; upper tail coverts white; tail black; outer surface of closed wing 

 brownish gray, with pale feather edgings like back; primary flight feathers 

 and inner webs of secondaries blackish; under surface of wing and axillars 

 light grayish brown; under surface of body pale ashy gray, with whitish 

 feather tippings giving an effect of obscure barring; flanks darkest colored, 

 more brownish; lower belly and under tail coverts white; feet black. Total 

 length (both sexes) "about 35.00-43.00" inches (888-1093 mm.) (Eidgway, 

 1900, p. 117). Males: folded wing 16.50-20.75 (418-527); bill along culmen 

 1.88-2.31 (47.7-58.6); tarsus 3.00-3.88 (76.2-98.5) (ten specimens). Females: 

 folded wing 17.60-19.65 (447-499); bill along culmen 1.89-2.06 (47.9-52.4); 

 tarsus 3.26-3.58 (82.7-90.8) (ten specimens) ; all from California. Juvenile 

 plumage: Similar to that of adult but with colors duller and white cheek 



