107 
noting those of size. The ear, therefore, may make a better distinction in this case than 
the eye. 
Various slight colour differences between individuals can be detected. 
The cheek patches may or may not meet across the throat and there may 
be a more or less complete white collar around the neck at the bottom of 
the black stocking. These variations may occur in any form, but seem 
rather more common in birds of the west than of the east. The only 
colour distinction that seems to have connexion with distribution is the 
depth of colour of the underparts. Eastern and interior birds have light 
fawn or almost cream-coloured breasts and abdomen. Those of the west 
coast are likely to be deep mouse colour. This seems to be the most distinc- 
tive character of the White-cheeked Goose, the only one that is appreciably 
differentiated by colour. This dark coloration seems to have been trans- 
ferred to west coast Hutchins's Geese through interbreeding with the 
dark-breasted White-cheeked and the Cackling. The following are the 
subspecies of Canada Geese as at present recognized. 
Canada Goose, gray goose, honker 
Branta canadensis canadensis. The largest of the American Geese, weighing up to 
12 to 14 pounds or even more. Wing 15-70 to 20. Bill 1-9 to 2-3 (Figure 143a). The 
black stocking is long and extends down to the base of the neck, in Hutchins’s it is shorter. 
The Honker is perhaps best recognized by its deep sonorous voice. Its range extends 
across the continent, from coast to coast. West of the Great Lakes it breeds from south 
of the International Boundary north probably to the limit of trees. 
This is one of the most highly prized game birds of western Canada. 
It is the wisest and wariest of birds and the goose hunter has need of all 
his wiles in its pursuit. 
Hutchins' s Goose, calling goose, short-necked goose, and numerous other 
names of local usage 
Branta canadensis hutchinsi. Wing 13*15 to 17*25. Bill 1*25 to 1*7 (Figure 143b). 
Next in size to the Honker, but much smaller; the same colour with the exception of 
perhaps a shorter black stocking. In life, it is best told probably by its voice which is 
higher and sharper, and experienced shooters can recognize it at great distances. In the 
interior of British Columbia and on the prairies it is likely to be confused only with the 
Honker. It does not associate regularly with its big relative, neither will the latter decoy 
well to captive Hutchins’s Geese. This may be merely a demonstration of the clannish 
nature of the species, but it is suggestive of the idea that the apparently slight difference 
between them may De more fundamental than would be gathered from an examination 
of specimens. Hutchins’s Goose breeds west of Hudson bay from the Barren-grounds 
indefinitely through the Arctic islands northward, and migrates down the west coast and 
through the interior west of the Great Lakes. On the west coast it intergrades with the 
Cackling Goose and the White-cheeked as well as the Honker, and many puzzling speci- 
mens may be taken there. 
In all races of the Canada Goose there is great individual variation 
in size. They are long-lived birds and increase appreciably in size 
for many years. On the other hand, occasional diminutive runt-like 
birds occur. Such very small birds, scarcely larger than large Mallards, 
have been the basis of prairie records of Cackling Geese. Inasmuch as any 
of these birds that have been carefully examined have tarsus and toes 
of nearly equal length, and it is known that they breed as far east as the 
mouth of Hudson bay, far removed from any likely breeding ground of the 
