604 
ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
246. Chen hyperboreus albatus (Cass.), Ridg. LESSER SNOW GOOSE. 
Group I. Class c. 
This Goose moves north and south with the last during the migrations, and in 
about equal numbers. 
Food: It frequents the corn-fields in Central Illinois (E. W. Nelson). In 
speaking of the two varieties together. Dr. Coues says: “Various kinds of or¬ 
dinary grass form a large part of this bird’s food, at least during their winter 
residence in the United States. They also eat the bulbous roots and soft succu¬ 
lent culms of aquatic plants.” 
247. Bernicla brenta (Pall.), Steph. BRANT GOOSE. Group I. Class c. 
Mr. Nelson states that the only instance known to him of the capture of this 
species in this j)ortion of the country, is a specimen taken by Dr. Hoy near 
Racine, which is in his collection. Mr. Paul B. Wood writes me that he has 
taken this Goose near Peshtigo. 
248. Bernicla Canadensis (Linn.), Boie. CANADA GOOSE; COMMON WILD 
GOOSE. 
249. Bernicla Canadensis Hutchinsi (Rich.), Coues. HUTCHINS’CANADA 
GOOSE. Group I. Class c. 
Both of these varieties are common migrants. 
Food: Green leaves of sea cabbage, roots of sedges (Wilson). Fond of light¬ 
ing in corn-fields and feeding on fresh blades, often committing great havoc; 
grass and earth-worms (Audubon). 
250. Anas boscas, Linn. MALLARD. Group I. Class c. 
A very abundant migrant and still a summer resident. They are becoming 
sensibly less numerous year by year, under the steady fire of sportsmen. Many 
breed about Lake Puckawa, and in many other similar places. 
Food: Purely omnivorous. Putrid fish, garbage of all sorts, snakes, small 
quadrupeds, nuts and fruits of all kinds, rice, corn and other grains. Tiiey are 
expert fly-catchers (Audubon). 
251. Anas obscura, Gm. DUSKY DUCK. Group I. Class c. 
The Dusky Duck is a rather uncommon migrant and probably breeds very 
sparingly. 
Food: Small snails (Wilson). 
252 . Dafila ACUTA (Linn.), Jen. PINTAIL; SPRIGTAIL. Group 1. Class c. 
A common migrant, often associated with the Mallards. 
Food: Beech-nuts (Audubon). 
253 . Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.), Gr. GADWALL. Group I, Class c 
A rather common migrant. 
Food: Small fish, shells and aquatic plants (De Kay). Tender shoots and 
blades of grasses, beech-nuts and acorns, seeds of all kinds, tadpoles, small fish 
and leeches; sometimes alights in corn-fields for corn (Samuels from Audubon). 
