84 
ANSERIFORMES 
SUBSPECIES. The American White-fronted Goose Anser albif ons gambeli has 
been supposed to be the representative New World form of the species. Lately, however, 
it has been demonstrated that two forms of White-fronted Goose occur in America, and 
that gambeli is much the scarcer. Limited numbers of gambeli have been found wintering 
in California under the local name “Tule Goose,” but most other specimens from this 
Bill of White-fronted Goose; natural size. 
continent, and all Canadian specimens 
that have been examined, prove to be 
of the smaller race, the common White- 
fronted Goose Anser albif rons albif rons, 
which was previously considered confined 
to the Old World. The larger birds 
undoubtedly pass through on migration 
of the two, but so far Canadian speci- 
mens have not been brought tt> scientific 
notice. 
In certain sections of the 
prairie provinces this goose is 
popularly called “Brant.” This 
is an unjustifiable misuse of a 
name otherwise applied, and has 
been the source of much confu- 
sion. ( See under Brant, page 82.) 
169. Snow Goose, wavey. wavey goose, l’oie blanche. Chen hyperborea. 
L, 23. Plate V B. A medium-sized white goose witli black primaries. Juveniles have 
variable admixture and clouding of greyish brown on wings, 
back, head, and neck. Red rust stains from iron-impregnated 
water are very common on various parts of the plumage and 
in some birds the whole head is largely red with this adventi- 
tious colouring. 
Distinctions. Easily recognized as a goose. To be 
mistaken only for Ross’s Goose, which is exactly similar in 
plumage, but only about half the bulk and only slightly 
larger than a big Mallard. The bill of the Snow Goose is 
red like that of Ross’s but smoother, without rugosity about 
the base, and the cutting edges are widely bordered with 
black bands forming a “grinning patch” (Figure 121, com- 
pare with 123). 
Field Marks. Large white geese with black wing tips. Can be told from Ross’s by 
size. The voice is said to be readily distinguishable also. It is very noisy in flight, whereas 
Ross’s usually flies silently. 
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 (la Petite Oie blanche) Chen hyperborea hyperborea, the type form. The eastern 
race, the Greater Snow Goose (la Grande Oie blanche) Chen hyperborea allantica , 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. So 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 in the northeastern Arctic Islands and 
northern Greenland. The probability of these birds occurring west of the Great Lakes, 
except by accident, is 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 the 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. 
Figure 121 
Bill of Snow Goose; 
scale, J. 
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 
