GEESE 
81 
with it for many years. This will inevitably cause confusion that might have been avoided 
if the name “Hutchin’s” had been dropped for this newly rediscovered form and “Richard- 
son’s,” in memory of its original describer, had been used instead. It must clearly be 
borne in mind that from now on the name Hutchin’s Goose as applied by the Check-list 
refers to a bird entirely different from that which it has designated in the past. 
A very small Canada Goose, by some regarded as an entirely distinct species. Wing 
15 or under. Bill 1-35 or less (Figure 117c). Scarcely larger than a big Mallard duck, 
but coloured identically with the Honker or the Lesser Canada Goose. In size, like the 
Cackling Goose of the extreme west, but breast and underparts light and not mouse 
coloured. Breeding on the islands at the mouth of Hudson Bay and migrating in limited 
numbers through Manitoba. Of only casual occurrence east or west of that province. 
Cackling Goose, l’outarde canadienne minime 
Urania canadensis minima. The smallest of the Canada Geese, by some regarded as 
an entirely distinct species, at times scarcely larger than a large Mallard: w'ing, 13-27 to 
16-60; bill, 1-01 to 1-44 (Figure 117c). In colour like the preceding, but usually with 
dark mouse-coloured underparts. The most distinctive character, however, seems to be 
that the tarsus is slightly longer than the middle toe and claw. The voice is still higher 
and sharper than that of the Lesser Canada Goose, of a quality that has suggested the 
name “Cackling” and the local name of “Squealer” in California. The Cackling Goose 
is a west-coast bird. Its breeding range is not very well known, but thought to be in 
western Alaska near the Bering seacoast. It migrates mostly down the coast, but also in 
smaller numbers through the interior west of the coast ranges, and winters south of 
British Columbia. 
The Canada Goose as a species is a watchful and a wary bird, usually 
spending the day well out on open water or in marshes, coming in at 
night to feed on the fields and stubble. While so engaged, there is always 
one long neck upstretched to survey the surroundings, and unobserved 
approach by the most expert stalker is next to impossible. On this account 
it has probably suffered less from hunters than some other members of its 
family, although its original numbers have been reduced. So long as its 
remaining breeding grounds in the far north remain uninvaded, and it is 
not seriously disturbed in its southern winter feeding stations, there is 
little danger of its extermination. In spite of this satisfactory condition 
of the species as a whole, the existence of the most desirable and interesting 
form of all, the Honker, is threatened, especially in the west . 1 This fine 
bird, breeding on the prairies in the midst of cultivation, is particularly 
exposed to the destructive influence of civilization and at the present rate 
of decrease it will be but a few years before we will speak of it as a prairie 
breeder in the past tense only. How far north these conditions will eventu- 
ally extend there is no way to foretell, but the increase of populated areas 
in the Dominion probably means the eventual local extirpation of this 
species. Until we have a resident population that will permit such a fine 
bird as this to live, nest, and raise its young in unmolested proximity, the 
future of the Honker on the prairies is far from secure. 
Even though it survives in the uninhabited north and still comes 
south to furnish its quota of sport, its disappearance as a resident in the 
settled communities would be a serious aesthetic and economic loss. It is 
a noble bird, a point of interest in any landscape. No one fails to thrill 
at sight of its long, V-shaped flocks flying overhead, or at the sound of its 
wild, barbaric music coming down through the twilight. Domestically, the 
Canada Goose is a model for man. Unlike ducks which mate for the season 
and then part, usually for ever, geese generally mate for life, mourn a lost 
mate, and are not easily comforted. Both sexes assist in the responsibilities 
1 For what seems at writing (1933) to be a serious condition for the species in the East See page 70. 
