The Canada Geese 



The opprobrious use of such words as "gull," "goose" and "loon" is, 

 we suspect, rather a record of human narrow-mindedness than a lawful in- 

 dictment of the birds so named. In particular the great American Goose 

 is anything but a "goose" when it comes to matching wits against the 

 "human warious." In the struggle for existence, this bird has displayed a 

 shrewdness, a cunning, a degree of intelligence, as well as a devotion of 

 parental duty, which might well command the admiration of any sincere 

 sportsman. Judged even by the lowest standards of appreciation, the 

 goose is noble quarry; and so judged, not even the most ardent pursuer 

 would wish to see the race exterminated. It is time, then, to call a halt. 

 No race of birds, however gifted, can stand up forever against the purpose- 

 ful assaults of Christendom. The Canada Goose is doomed to extinction 

 unless the bag-limit can be still further reduced, and the species accorded 

 a definite and absolute protection during the nesting season. 



No. 375a Hutchins's Goose 



A. 0. U. Xo. 172a. Branta canadensis hutchinsi (Richardson). 



Synonyms. — Lesser Canada Goose. Little Wild Goose. Gray Brant. 



Description. — Precisely similar to preceding species in coloration, but averaging 

 smaller; tail, normally 16-feathered. Length 635-863.6 (25.00-34.00); wing 431.8 

 (17.00); tail 152.4 (6.00); bill 44.5 (1.75); tarsus 76.2 (3.00). 



Recognition Marks. — Brant to eagle size; like preceding form but smaller. 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nest: In tundra, of grass, moss, 

 and feathers, with abundant down. Eggs: 4 to 6; white, yellowing and soiling with 

 age. Av. size 79 x 53.5 (3.12 x 2.10); index 67.3. Season: June. 



Range of B. c. hutchinsi. — Breeds along the Arctic Coast from northwestern 

 Alaska to the western shore of Hudson Bay. Winters from British Columbia, Colo- 

 rado, and Missouri south to Louisiana, Texas, and Lower California. 



Distribution in California. — Common winter resident and migrant at lower 

 levels practically throughout the State. 



Authorities. — Gambel (Anser hut'chinsii) , Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., ser. 2, 

 i., 1849, p. 225 (Calif.) ; Belding, Zoe, vol. iii., 1892, p. 99 (occurrence in Calif.; dates 

 of arrival and departure, etc.) ; Swarth, Univ. Calif. Publ. Zool., vol. xii., 1913, p. I, pis., 

 figs, (occurrence in Calif.; crit., desc, meas., etc.). 



EVERY SCHOOLBOY in the interior of California has awakened in 

 him the desire to know more about the migration of waterfowl as he hears 

 the noisy "honk, honk" of flock after flock of geese passing overhead. Not 

 only schoolboys but every one with the least touch of mysticism — and who 

 has not this sense to a more or less degree? — is thrilled as the flocks pass 

 over by day, and the calls are heard at night. Naturally, these questions 

 always follow: "What kind of birds are those? where do they come from? 

 where are they going? and why do they fly in V-shaped flocks?" 



1863 



