98 ifESTS AND EGGS OF 



Brewer states that nests found by Mr. MaoFarlane were ganeraUy tounfl in «vooaed 

 districts. Murdoch says that the eggs are always laid in the black, muddy tundra, 

 often on top of a slight knoll. The nest is lined with tundra moss and down. The 

 number of eggs in a clutch appears subject to considerable variation, as sets of four, 

 six and seven were well advanced in incubation. The last laid egg is generally in 

 the middle of the nest, and may be recognized by its white shell, unless incubation 

 is far advanced, the other eggs being stained and soiled by the birds coming on and 

 off the nest; The eggs are six or seven in number, and measure from 2.90 to 3.30 

 long by 2.05 to 2.10 broad. They are elliptical in shape, dull greenish-yellow with 

 obscure darker tints. Nelson records the measurements of a very large series of 

 eggs taken at St. Michael's, Alaska. They are as follows: Maximum 3.45x2.28; 

 minimum, 2.98x2.10. Within these limits he says there are innumerable gradations. 



173. CANADA GOOSE. Branta oanidensis (Ldnn.) Geog. Dist.— Temperate 

 North America, breeding in the Northern United States and British Provinces; 

 south in winter to Mexico. 



The Common Wild Goose of North America, in its various forms and great ex- 

 tremes of size, is generally distributed throughout the continent at large, B. 

 canidensis proper, breeding, as indicated in the above habitat. It is the most abundant 

 of our geese. Large numbers may be seen during the spring and fall migrations 

 flying overhead in wedge-shaped flocks, with an old gander always in the lead at the 

 apex of the triangle, frequently uttering the sonorous honk, honk, which is often 

 heard at a great height. In many places they breed in captivity with the common 

 domestic goose, producing a hybrid bird much esteemed for the table. It has been 

 learned from birds in confinement that none of them lay until three years old; the 

 first season four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when older six and seven.* 

 Dr. Coues alludes to the breeding of the Canada Goose in trees in various parts of the 

 Upper Missouri and Yellowstone regions.t Breeding grounds, inundated along the 

 banks of streams, have at times caused the birds to resort to trees for the purpose of 

 nesting, some making use of Herons' and Ravens' nests.t Nests of the Canada 

 Goose in Dakota are usually situated far away from water on the prairies. The 

 most interesting information I can offer on the breeding habits, migration, etc., of 

 this goose in a semi-domestic state, is as follows: In March, 1886, Mr. George Sackett, 

 of Delaware, Ohio, shot three specimens while they were passing over his farm. 

 Upon examination they were found to have only been "winged." The wounds were 

 dressed and the birds allowed their freedom on the farm for two successive sum- 

 mers, but from the lack of sufllcient water and the annoyance of cattle they did not 

 prosper in their domestic affairs. On two occasions the cattle destroyed their nests 

 and young. The wild, timid creatures were, finally transferred to Mr. F. P. Vergon, 

 proprietor of an artificial lake which has a surface of about thirty acres. It is used 

 as a pleasure resort and is interspersed with many little islands. Here the two that 

 were mated made their nest in the rank grass and rubbish at the most secluded end 

 of the lake; the young were hatched and from some unknown cause were again 

 destroyed. The next season they took up their quarters on one of the islands, made 

 a nest of sticks and straw, and commenced laying in the latter part of March, incu- 

 bating until May, bringing forth eight young. During the ten years on the lake 

 only two eggs failed to hatch. The young were not taken into the water until 



• Wm. Dutcher, in The Auk. Vol. II, p. 111. 



t Birds of the Northwest, pp. 554-555. 



tMaJ. Chas. B. Bendlre: Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. I, p. 



