Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 09:08:04 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: "WILLIAM B. SCHREITZ" Subject: Canada Goose - Branta Minima? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit At Horsehead Wetlands in Graysonville yesterday I saw a miniature Canada goose (about the size of a mallard) on the ground feeding with a flock of eight full-sized Canada geese. Its beak was disproportionately small, and its breast was nearly as dark as the wings. I saw no neck ring below the black on the neck. Both the Nat. Geo Guide (1999) and the ABC Guide (1997) show a darker breasted subspecies. The Golden Guide (1983) a dark-breasted subspecies, but only with a white neck band. The Peterson Guide (1980) shows 3 subspecies, each with a light breast similar to the familiar full-sized species and no neck rings. The Golden Guide also indicates that there are at least 10 sub-species that are recognized. It is interesting to follow (through these guides that span 20 years) the effort to refine and isolate the most basic and unique descriptions of these subspecies. It is suddenly clear to me (a budding birder) that to be married to only the latest or only one field guide with its clear drawings, arrows & definitive text robs us of the realization of the exciting and fluent nature of this birding endeavor and of the continued need for both observers and their notes - professional and amateurs as well. Does anyone know if there is any comprehensive writing on the Canada goose sub-species that reflects recent studies? Bill WILLIAM B SCHREITZ CABINETMAKER INC 1806 VIRGINIA STREET ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21041 cabmkrwbs@erols.com ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================