The Canada Geese 



one, if size be the criterion, stands out from the rest because of its high- 

 pitched, oft-repeated call-note. The cackling goose, or "yelper," is well 

 named. It is the smallest of the three varieties of Canada goose, all of 

 which are similarly colored. Along with the Hutchins goose, the cackling 

 is one of the best known among the geese because of its abundance. 



It takes a prominent place among the countless flocks streaming 

 northward by day and in the unceasing clangor by night which accom- 

 panies the return to northern climes. In fact, the cackling goose is often- 

 times more abundant than any other variety. In former years, when sale 

 was allowed, this variety along with the Hutchins goose was most often to 

 be found in the market, where it sold under the name of "brant." 



Although its nesting grounds in Alaska lie to the south of those occu- 

 pied by the Hutchins goose, the birds arrive in our great valleys at about 

 the same time, usually the first or second week in October. Having the 

 same habits and often flocking with Hutchins geese, it would be difficult to 

 distinguish the two, were it not for the smaller size and higher pitched 

 call. Even with these distinctive characters, identification must be left 

 to one familiar with the birds unless they are close at hand. 



The breeding grounds in northern Alaska are the scene of great com- 

 motion when the geese return in the spring. According to Nelson, many 

 pitched battles, where bills and wings are used as weapons, take place 

 among the male cackling geese, and loud calls of many different water- 

 fowl fill the air. The cackling goose builds its nest in the grass on the 

 borders of ponds or on some small knoll. By the time the full set of eggs 

 is deposited, the nest has been lined with soft down-feathers plucked 

 from the female's breast. These serve to make a soft lining, and help 

 keep the eggs concealed and warm when the parent is away seeking food. 

 Parents are very solicitous for their young and become reckless in the face 

 of danger. 



The goose hunter in the early days took up his position in a ditch 

 or behind a hedge or even lay flat on his back in a patch of weeds, choos- 

 ing foggy days when the birds were flying low. In this way, good kills 

 were made. Then, too, a fast horse and light buggy out on the plains, if 

 manoeuvered properly, allowed of near approach to feeding birds. Nowa- 

 days, a pit situated where a river or slough makes a sharp turn is produc- 

 tive of best results, although the automobile is sometimes substituted 

 for the fast horse and light buggy. 



Although to past generations the coming and going of the geese in 

 their migration was such a familiar sight as to be largely overlooked, 

 future generations will doubtless be deprived of this interesting phenom- 

 enon. There are many locations in the State, particularly in the middle 

 coast counties and in southern California, where geese are now so scarce 



1868 



