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Range (Temperate North America breeds)
Temperate North America; breeds in the northern United States and British provinces; south in winter to Mexico.
Washington, W. V. and rather common T. V., Oct. to Apl. Long Island, common 'T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Oct., some W. V. Sing Sing, tolerably common T. V., Mch. 11 to May 21; Oct. Cambridge, common T. V., Mch. and Apl.; Oct. to Dec.
Nest, of sticks lined with down, on the ground in the open prairie, on the shores of streams, on tree stumps and sometimes in trees, when a deserted nest of the Osprey is generally used. Eggs, four to five, buffy white, 3.50 x 2.35.
Probably the migration of no bird attracts more universal interest than that of the Wild Goose. Ornithologists talk of "waves" and "flights" of migrants passing in the night, but the biannual pilgrimage of the Canada Goose appeals to us all with the directness of a personal experience. We see the living wedge of long-necked birds passing high overhead; the unbroken sound-waves bring the sonorous "honks" with unexpected distinctness to our ears; and we receive an impressive lesson in the migration of birds. They are embarked on a journey of several thousand miles, but they come and go as surely as though they carried chart and compass. 172a. B. c. hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.). HUTCHINS'S GOOSE.-Resembles the preceding in color, but averages smaller. L., 25-00-34-00; W., 14.75- 17-75; Tar., 2-25-3-20; B., 1-20-1-90 (Ridgw.).
Range.-" North America, breeding in the arctic regions, and migrating south in winter chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley; eastern Asia" (A. O. U.).
Long Island, A. V. 172c. B. c. minima Ridgw. CACKLING GOOSE. -To be distinguished from the two preceding by its smaller size and the much darker brownishgray color of the breast and upper belly. "W., 18-60-14-50; Tar., 2-40-2-75; B., 95-1-15" (Ridgw.).
GEESE.
Range.-Pacific coast of North America, breeding chiefly about the shores of Norton Sound and the lower Yukon; south in winter to California, and, more rarely, to upper Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, etc.) (Ridgw.). 173. Branta bernicla (Linn.). BRANT. Ad.-Head, neck, throat, and upper breast black; sides of the neck speckled with white; back brownish gray, margined with grayish brown; longer and lateral upper tail-coverts white; lower breast ashy gray fading to white on the lower belly; sides darker. Im.-Similar, but with less white on the sides of the neck and wing-coverts, and secondaries tipped with white. L., 26.00; W., 13-20; Tar., 2-20; B., 1.35.
Range.-Northern parts of the northern hemisphere; breeds within the Arctic Circle; in America, migrates southward along the Atlantic coast, reaching the Carolinas in winter; rare in the interior. Washington, rare W. V. Long Island, common T. V., Nov. 1 to May 15; a few winter. Sing Sing, A. V.
Nest, of grasses, moss, etc., lined with down, on the ground. Eggs, four, smooth and creamy white in color, 2.70 x 1.80 (Saunders). "Its manner of flying is different from that of the Canada Goosemoving in more compact bodies, less rapidly, and without seeming to have a chosen leader-that marked characteristic in the flight of the latter. "While in our bays it appears inactive, seldom taking to wing unless disturbed by a passing boat or the near report of a gun. "The Brent rises slowly, and when on the wing moves sluggishly for a short distance, and, if not attracted by a distant flock, frequently returns to the place it had left. Its food consists of a marine plant (Zostera marina), commonly called 'eel grass.' At low water it is seen industriously at work tearing up its favorite plant. After the tide has risen to such a height as to compel it to relinquish its vocation, it is seen drifting with the current, feeding sumptuously on the fruits of its labor" (Giraud). 174. Branta nigricans (Lawr.). BLACK BRANT.-Bears a general resemblance to the preceding species, but may be readily distinguished by its much darker lower breast and upper belly, which are nearly as dark as the back, and by having white markings on the front as well as on the sides of the neck.