mbeli._

Range.--Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering south to the Gulf coast; not common on the Atlantic coast
during migrations.

These birds may be recognized by their mottled plumage, dark head and
white forehead. This species is more abundant than any of the preceding
and nests in large colonies along the arctic coast and in Alaska. Their
nests are made of dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed on the
ground in a slight depression. From four to nine eggs are laid; these
have a dull buff ground. Size 3.00 x 2.05. Data.--Island in delta of
Mackenzie River, June 10, 1899. Four eggs. Nest of grass and feathers on
the ground on a small island. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer.

171.1. BEAN GOOSE. _Anser fabalis._

This European species is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the
most common of the Old World Species.

[Illustration 110: Ross Snow Goose. American White-fronted Goose.]
[Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 109

172. CANADA GOOSE. _Branta canadensis canadensis._

Range.--The whole of North America, breeding from northern United States
northward, and wintering in the southern parts of the United States.

This species is the most widely known of American Geese and is the most
abundant. Its familiar "honk" has long been regarded as the signal of
the coming of spring, and the familiar V-shaped formation in which the
flocks migrate is always an object of interest to everyone. With the
exception of in North Dakota and Minnesota, they breed chiefly north of
the United States. They construct quite a large nest of weeds and grass,
and warmly line it with down and feathers. They lay from four to nine
eggs of a buff or drab color. Size about 3.50 x 2.50. Data.--Ellingsars
Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. Five eggs. Nest on an island in the
lake, constructed of weeds and trash, and lined with a few feathers.
Collector, Edwin S. Bryant.

172a. HUTCHINS GOOSE. _Branta canadensis hutchinsi._

This sub-species is like the preceding except that it is smaller, thirty
inches in length. It is a western variety, breeding in Alaska and along
the Arctic coast and wintering to southern California. Its breeding
habits, nests and eggs are the same as the common goose except that the
eggs are smaller. Size 3.00 x 2.05.

172b. WHITE-CHEEKED GOOSE. _Branta canadensis occidentalis._

This bird is about the same size as the Canada Goose and t