The White-fronted Geese 



grass. It is not averse, however, to feeding on sprouting grain, and in 

 years past it has been responsible, along with other geese, for considerable 

 damage to grain. 



The speckle-breast is one of the most highly prized geese for food, 

 and formerly was a common bird on the market. The fact that it can be 

 easily approached by the gunner may also account for its frequent use as 

 a table bird. Pits dug in the ground in localities where the birds are known 

 to fly regularly are most commonly used as blinds in hunting them. In 

 market hunting some ruse, such as hiding behind a grazing steer or horse, 

 was formerly resorted to in order to make a good kill. Hunting of this 

 sort, "bull-hunting," allowed of unjustifiable slaughter, hundreds of geese 

 sometimes being killed by four shots from a large-bore gun, — with the 

 result that laws were passed which eliminated it. At one time so abun- 

 dant that ranchers had to herd geese from their grain fields, they are now 

 so greatly reduced that there is probably not more than one bird to the 

 hundred formerly found in this state, as noted above. Until recent years 

 geese received no protection whatever, and since their numbers are con- 

 centrated in California during the winter season, a false idea of their real 

 numbers has become current. 



Large flocks of geese utilize Tulare Lake as a loafing ground. A few 

 years ago a dry winter forced these birds to feed in the near-by reclaimed 

 areas planted to grain. As a result some damage was done, but as is often 

 the case, it was greatly exaggerated. In many instances, the cropping 

 of the plants improved conditions by making them stool out better. 

 Reports later showed that a record harvest had been made on the very 

 ranches where complaint was greatest. The situation was fortunately 

 relieved by a rainstorm which sprouted the grass and scattered the birds. 



Harold C. Bryant. 



No. 374a Tule Goose 



A. O. U. No. 171a. Anser albifrons gambeli Hartlaub. 



Synonyms.— American White-fronted Goose. California Goose. 



Description. — Similar to A. a. albifrons, but size much larger; bill, especially, 

 larger. "Coloration in general darker, neck dark brown, head blackish; tail feathers, 

 male, eighteen, female, sixteen; naked skin at edge of eyelid, yellow or orange" (Swarth- 

 Bryant). Length 762 (30.00) or over; wing 420-475 (16.54-18.70); bill 53-62 (2.086- 

 2.44). 



Nesting. — Not distinguished from that of preceding form. 



Range of A. a. gambeli. — Known only from its winter home in California. Sur- 

 mised to breed in the American Arctic somewhere east of the range of A. a. albifrons. 



Distribution in California. — Known only from the tule sloughs of Butte 

 Creek in the north-central Sacramento Valley. 



Authorities. — Swarth and Bryant, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., vol. xvii., 1917, 

 p. 209, pi., figs, (crit., desc, meas., etc.). 



1856 



