28 
THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
the birds were abundant, about one-half are typical of either 
hyperborea or nivalis, and in about equal numbers, and the 
balance intermediate. They feed sparingly now about the 
larger corn fields in southern Wisconsin, especially in spring, 
where they formerly resorted in large numbers. 
Chen cserulescens (Linn.}. BLUE GOOSE. 
Although by no means rare along the Mississippi, and in 
spring anywhere on the larger lakes and prairies, this species, 
as elsewhere, is none too well known in our state. It is of 
irregular and erratic occurrence in Wisconsin anywhere except 
along the Mississippi, and is usually found in the eastern 
counties associated with the snow or white-fronted goose, more 
often the latter. It is easily decoyed, and does not seem to 
have the ordinary "goose sense" of other species. We have it, 
in every stage of plumage, from Koshkonong and Delavan 
Lakes and the surrounding prairies. The "bald brant,' 1 as 
many sportsmen call the adult of this species, is usually an 
early spring migrant, sometimes arriving the latter part of 
February, but commonly in March. One specimen taken on 
Delavan Lake as late as April 18. 
Anger albifrons gambeli (Rartl.). AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED 
GOOSE. 
Formerly an exceedingly abundant spring and fall migrant, 
but of late years not at all plenty. Frequents the large prairie 
corn fields. This species has been credited by some as a 
summer resident, but it is extremely unlikely that it ever breeds 
in the state. Specimens have sometimes been taken as late 
as the middle of May, but there is no evidence that they were 
breeding, and individuals have been known to remain all 
summer in the flocks of tame geese on Lake Koshkonong. 
Commonly known as "brant/' or "speckle-belly" among the 
Wisconsin gunners. 
Branta canadensis (Linn.). CANADA GOOSE. 
Abundant, increasing rather than diminishing in numbers, 
during the fall, winter and spring. To such an extent has this 
species changed its habits that it is no longer looked upon as a 
sure harbinger of spring, as in most sections of southern and 
even south-central Wisconsin it remains all winter, flying back 
and forth from its favorite corn fields to some lake or large 
marsh for the night. When snow is plenty it even remains in 
the fields for days at a time. Twenty-five to fifty years ago the 
