(Philacte canagica)
The Emperor goose is a north Pacific species, breeding principally on
the islands of the Alaska coast. The great majority of these birds
winter well to the north of us, though a number venture southward into
California to Humboldt bay and even south of that. A small flock or
two is seen almost every winter on the marshes near San Francisco. A
close watch of the markets will reveal one or two offered for sale
almost every winter.
=Color=--Head and back of neck, white; throat, brownish gray, shading
into light gray on the breast and abdomen; back, a little darker; the
feathers being gray, tipped with lighter gray, with a subterminal band
of brownish gray; legs, flesh color.
=Nest and Eggs=--The nests are usually found on the small islands of
the salt marshes, and contain eight to ten eggs of a dull white color.
=Measurements=--Wing, about 15-1/2 inches; bill, 1-1/2 inches.
[Illustration: BLACK SEA BRANT (Branta nigricans)]