103 
Nesting. On the ground. 
Distribution. Breeds on the islands and mainland of the American Arctic, migrates 
down through the interior and along the coasts, mostly west of the Great Lakes. 
SUBSPECIES. The subspecies of Wavey common to the west is the Lesser Snow 
Goose Chen hyperboreus hyperboreus, the type form. The eastern race, the Greater Snow 
Goose Chen hyperboreus nivalis, has been reported from the west, but without satisfactory 
evidence. The two differ only in size and so slightly and with so much individual variation 
that some doubt has been expressed as to the validity of the subspecific difference. As 
far as is known, the only flock of Greater Snow Geese extant winter off the Carolina coast 
and visit St. Lawrence river near Quebec on migration. Their breeding ground is 
unknown, but it is probably in the eastern Arctic islands or northern Greenland. The prob- 
ability of these birds ever occurring west of the Great Lakes is very slight. One source of 
confusion to the general public may be the occurrence of Ross’s Goose which seems to 
fulfil the requirements demanded by the name “Lesser”, leaving the term “Greater” to be 
applied to tne next larger, common white Goose, the real Lesser. However, birds presumed 
on geographical grounds to be Lesser Snow Geese occur in sizes that agree well with 
dimensions for the Greater. 
The name Wavey is a corruption of the Indian word “Wa-wa,” mean- 
ing Wild Goose, and is the common name for the Snow Goose throughout 
the west. The Snow Goose migrates down through the prairies in immense 
numbers, turning the lakes and fields upon which it settles white as with 
snow. En route, the great flocks were formerly taken toll of by the Hudson’s 
Bay Company’s posts and the inhabitants of the northern unorganized 
territories, who killed large numbers to salt for winter use. Even under 
this great drain, their numbers did not seem to diminish as did those of other 
species. When they reach civilization, where they are actively hunted, 
they are so wary that few large bags are made within our territory. 
Some twenty years ago when seed was generally sown broadcast, the 
targe flocks caused occasional serious damage and sometimes necessitated 
the replanting of crops. Settling on the newly sown fields the flocks pro- 
gressed across them like drifting snow, the rear birds constantly passing 
over their fellows in front and leaving the ground clean of seed behind. 
Such immense flocks are seldom seen today, and present methods of drilling 
grain in would prevent damage from them, as Geese do not scratch as do 
chickens or grouse. Snow Geese are erratic in their choice of feeding 
grounds and seldom return to the same fields. It is because of this 
habit, and their extreme wariness that methods suitable for hunting the 
larger Canada Geese mostly fail when used against this species. 
169. 1. Blue Goose. Chen caerulescens . L, 26. About the size of the Snow and the 
White-fronted Geese, but body slaty-grey and brown, wave-marked with lighter feather 
edges on back and below. Wings and rump mostly slate colour; head and neck solid 
white. Juvenile is similar, but head and neck entirely brown. The bill is almost identical 
with that of the Snow Goose (See Figure 140). 
Distinctions. The combination of white head and neck with darker body does not 
occur in any other American Goose except the Emperor Goose, but that species has a 
broad, sharply-defined band of black along the throat and foreneck, and is so widely 
separated in range from the Blue, that confusion is very unlikely. The brown-headed 
juvenile is very similar to the young White-fronted Goose, but has pink instead of yellow 
legs and feet. 
Field Marks. The white head and neck and dark body can be distinguished at a 
great distance. Except for the flesh-coloured instead of yellow legs and feet, the juvenile 
can hardly be told by eyesight observation from the young White-fronted Goose. 
Nesting. Unknown. 
Distribution. A bird of peculiar and puzzling distribution. Its nesting ground is yet 
to be discovered. It migrates in great numbers along the east coast of Hudson bay and 
winters on the gulf of Mexico. Between these stations we know of only occasional occur- 
rences of the species and it must make its migratory journeys by long-sustained flights . 
