(Chen hyperborea)
The lesser snow geese, commonly called white geese, are the larger of
the two species of white geese so numerous on the Coast. They not only
feed, but migrate in great flocks, and these migrations often take
place at night when their sharp cries will be heard high in the air.
The lesser snow goose is found as far east as the Mississippi valley
and south on the Pacific Coast to San Diego. Occasionally a few are
seen at Ensenada and the valley of the Palms in Lower California. The
meat is tough and poor in flavor and, therefore, they are hunted but
little except by the market hunters, who, somehow, succeed in selling
a good number of them to the uninitiated.
=Color=--Pure white, with black bill and legs; the primaries, or long
feathers of the wings, are black.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are made close to the water's edge and
contain about ten dirty white eggs.
=Measurements=--Wing, about 16 inches; bill, 2-1/4 inches.