THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
21) 
flocks which first made their appearance were noted by every 
one, and spring was not far distant. Now the flocks which 
return from the north in October are continually added to until 
they are often several hundred strong, and remain thus until 
the beginning of spring. Of late years the standing corn is 
cut with a machine, which not only cuts the corn but the weeds 
also, and this gives the geese a clear view of the surrounding 
country, which is one thing they must have in order to feed 
contented. Fifty years ago> a common breeder in almost any 
swamp or large marsh, or on the "prairie sloughs" (now a 
feature of the past). At the present time only scattered pairs 
nest as far south as the southern third of the state. The last 
nesting record we have for southern Wisconsin was in 
Jefferson County — from the years 1891-99, inclusive, when a 
goose deposited her eggs on the edge of a tamarack swamp, on 
the same mound of rubbish each year. The first set was taken 
several times, when she moved to another mound farther into 
the swamp and here hatched her eggs. No mate was ever 
noticed to have visited her. 
Branta canadensis hntehinsii (Rich.). HITCHIWS'S GOOSE. 
Typical hutchinsii is by no means rare in Wisconsin, 
especially in late fall and winter. A serious problem, however, 
confronts us when we attempt to draw the line between this 
and the foregoing variety, as every stage of difference between 
the two is represented by the hundreds of intermediates. 
Branta canadensis minima (RUU/w.). CACKLING GOOSE. 
Credited to the fauna of Wisconsin in Ridgway's "Manual 
of North American Birds," the "A. O. U. Check List," and 
other works, as a straggling migrant. A small goose with 
short neck, minimum amount of black, dark underparts and 
distinct white crescent at the forward lower part of black neck- 
marking is of frequent occurrence in Wisconsin, sometimes 
in large flocks made up of this kind entirely, and again in 
company with geese of every varying degree of size and 
marking. Specimens of this character have been examined 
of barely six pounds weight, and in the collection of Mr. 
Skavlem is a specimen weighing five and one-half pounds, 
which we think could be called typical minima. These birds 
are locally known as "bull-necks" by the sportsmen. A.s with 
the case of hutchinsii, compared with canadensis, there ar^ 
also intermediates of every varying degree between this form 
and both the others. There are occasionally large geese with 
