Range.--This beautiful species, which is similar in plumage to the large Snow Goose, is but twenty-one inches in length. It breeds in the extreme north, and in winter is found in the western part of the United States as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Their nesting habits and eggs probably do not differ from others in the family except in the matter of size. 171. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. _Anser albifrons albifrons._ This European species is exactly like the American except that it is said to average a trifle smaller. It is occasionally found in Greenland. 171a. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. _Anser albifrons gambeli._ 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 × 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 × 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 × 2.05.