The Ross Snow Goose 



and settles for the winter in California. Two ranges of snowclad moun- 

 tains form no barrier for this tireless traveler. 



The Ross Goose rarely flocks by itself, but congregates with flocks of 

 the Lesser Snow Goose. Only the smaller size, about one-half the bulk, 

 and the peculiar corrugations on the bill separate it from the common 

 Lesser Snow Goose, which it resembles in color. A trained ear can be 

 relied upon to distinguish flying birds by their call, which is shrill and of a 

 falsetto quality. Young birds are recognized by their grayer plumage. 

 White geese, as a rule, fly in a U-shaped flock rather than in a distinct 

 V-shape. 



Although formerly often seen in the market, the Ross Snow Goose has 

 always been classified along with the Lesser Snow Goose as a less desirable 

 bird for the table. The cheapness of these species in the market attested 

 this also. The meat, although gamey in flavor, is dry and very dark. 



This goose feeds like other geese, grass forming the principal item of 

 food. As the birds walk along they crop the grass on one side and then 

 the other. Feeding is confined to the early morning and late afternoon, 

 the middle of the day being spent on water or in a marsh. Many descrip- 

 tions of fields so covered with white geese that they appeared as if covered 

 with snow have been written, and of course the Ross Snow Goose was 

 partly responsible, for this bird is often found with the Lesser Snow Goose 

 in mixed flocks. According to hunters of the San Joaquin Valley, the 

 Lesser Snow Goose may be most common one year, and the Ross Snow 

 Goose the following year. However, in most parts of the state the Ross 

 Snow Goose is the less abundant of the two. 



The old name of "horned wavey," doubtless applied to describe the 

 warty character of the bill and the peculiar wavering motion of white 

 geese in flight, is supplanted in our state by the term "China Goose," the 

 origin of which is not known. 



California is responsible for the care of most of the geese in the west- 

 ern part of the North American continent. It is high time she gave more 

 than a passing thought to the possibility that at her door will be laid the 

 blame for the near extermination of several species of geese. As the Ross 

 Goose concentrates in our great valleys during the winter season, we are 

 peculiarly responsible for its safety. Although it secures an immunity 

 from persecution during the summer because of the seclusion of its breed- 

 ing grounds, it could easily be blotted out of existence in winter, with 

 nothing more than indifference to blame for it. With forethought the 

 species may be assured a place in our fauna. The Federal Migratory Bird 

 Law which has established a closed season and bag limit on all geese, adds 

 greatly to the chance of preserving this unusual bird. 



Harold C. Bryant. 



1852 



