BLACK BRANT. 
174. Branta nigricans. 26 inches. _ 
Head, neck and breast black with a broad white collar 
nearly encircling the black neck, back a grayish brown; under- 
parts mostly white. They are very inquisitive and easily 
come to decoys, and consequently large numbers of them are 
shot each year for the markets. They are a noisy bird es¬ 
pecially when in large flocks. They get most of their food 
by tipping up in the shallow waters, where they feed upon 
the tender water plants and roots gathered from the bottom. 
Nest._A depression in the ground lined with grass and 
feathers and the down from their breasts; four to eight eggs 
are laid of a grayish color (2.80 x 1.75). 
Range.—Western North America, breeding abundantly in 
northern Alaska and wintering on the Pacific coast from British 
Columbia to Lower California. 
EMPEROR GOOSE. 
176. Philacte canagica. 26 inches. 
This handsome species may be known by the mottled or 
scaly appearance of the feathers; the head is white wit a 
black chin and throat. Their 3 to 7 eggs are a dull buff color 
(3.10 x 2.15). 
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