(Branta canadensis minima)
The cackling goose, known also as brown brant and gray brant, is the
most common of the four varieties and much the smallest. (See
illustration.) Its markings are the same as the Canada goose, but its
under parts are somewhat darker. While in total length it is fully
half that of the honker, in weight it is not more than one-third. The
cackling geese are commonly found in flocks of the white geese, both
in their feeding and their migrations. This species ranges east as far
as the Mississippi valley and south on the Coast as far as the mouth
of the Colorado river and to some extent into Lower California. It is
more numerous than any other of the dark colored geese of the Pacific
Coast.
=Color=--The same as the Canada goose, with the exception that it is a
little darker on the under parts.
=Nest and Eggs=--The same as the Canada goose, but the eggs number as
high as ten.
=Measurements=--Wing, 13 to 14-1/2 inches; bill, from one to one and
one-eighth.
[Illustration: LESSER SNOW GOOSE ROSS GOOSE
(Chen hyperborea) (Chen rossi)]