68 
DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 
in lofty circles before the flock descends. Some of the long necks 
are always stretched and some keen eyes on guard, but danger lies 
in the hidden hunter, the decoy, and the lantern. The rice lakes are 
usually abandoned as too deadly, and much of the food of the geese 
is obtained in fall from stubble fields, scattered wheat, oats, barley, 
or corn ; or in spring from fields of sprouting grain. In summer, 
grass furnishes most of their food, but many of the small water ani¬ 
mals, such as snails, minnows, and tadpoles, are eaten. As the geese 
still breed over parts of the United States and Canada, the eggs are 
often found and frequently hatched under hens, tame geese, or tur¬ 
keys. A hen can cover three eggs very nicely. The young become 
perfectly tame, and are affectionate, exceedingly bright, interesting 
pets, always ruling the poultry yard and most of the barn yard. 
Vernon Bailey. 
172a. Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Rich.). Hutchins Goose. 
Like canadensis , but smaller. Length: 25-34, wing 14.75-17.75, bill 1.20- 
1.90. 
Distribution. — Japan, Siberia, and arctic America; south in winter 
through the United States. Breeds mainly in arctic regions, but reported 
as resident in British Columbia. Rare toward Atlantic coast. 
Nest. — On ground in grass, lined with down. Eggs: usually 6, dull 
white. 
The habits of the Hutchins goose are similar to those of the Canada 
goose. 
172b. Branta canadensis occidentalis (Baird). White¬ 
cheeked Goose. 
Like canadensis, but under parts darker, white cheek patches usually 
separated by black on throat; lower part of neck with a more or less dis¬ 
tinct collar. Length: 35, wing 16.25-18.00, bill 1.40-1.65. 
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, north to Sitka ; south in 
winter to California. 
172c. Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. Cackling Goose. 
Like occidentalis but smaller. Length: 23-25, wing 13.60-14.50, bill 
.95-1.15. 
Distribution. — Pacific coast of North America, breeding about Norton 
Sound and the lower Yukon ; south in winter to California, and rarely east 
to the Mississippi valley. 
Nest. — A depression in the ground, lined with grass and down. Eggs: 
5 to 8, white. 
The cackling goose is reported by Nelson as common and breeding 
in Alaska, and by Fannin and Brooks as resident on the coast of 
British Columbia. 
174. Branta nigricans (Lawr.). Black Brant. 
Adults. — Head entirely black, neck almost encircled by a broad white 
collar open behind; upper parts dark sooty brown; breast black, shading 
