File:The Canadian field-naturalist (1930) (19896875674).jpg

Title: The Canadian field-naturalist
Identifier: canadianfieldnat1930otta (find matches)
Year: 1930 (1930s)
Authors: Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club
Subjects:
Publisher: Ottawa, Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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The Canadian Field-Naturalist (Vol. XLIV northern urge. Yet flocks went over from time to time, flying low as well as at altitudes of a thous- and feet or more. Undoubtedly these were bound for more northern latitudes, but the greatly- diversified direction of flight proved that the great majority were now local birds, or had leisure, for one reason or another, before passing on to other localities. Up to June 24 geese consorted in large numbers over the surrounding lowlands, which, by this date, were being rapidly cleared of snow. Par- ticularly desirable haunts, also, were grassy valleys about swelling ponds in the low granite hills of the Asweeto ridge. Any walk of a few miles revealed hundreds of geese feeding in these sheltered places. After the above date there was a pronounced decrease in numbers of local geese, which up to this time had exhibited no definite tendencies to disband. The breeding birds were now withdrawing quietly to the nesting areas, leaving large numbers of non-breeding geese to fly aimlessly about in carefree existence during the brief span of the Arctic summer. With the passing of the migra- tion, Blue Geese were left in a considerable ma- jority in the region surrounding Camp Kungovik. Lesser Snow Geese, which continued to associate with the Blue, occurred as one to six or eight of the former, while Brant and Hutchin's Goose became scarce. This was distinctly the "Land of the Blue Goose." For about ten days we searched the region on foot for nests without success. The outlook was decidedly discouraging, as late June approached, for much of the success of the venture depended upon the actual discovery of nests and eggs. Blue Geese were nearly everywhere, but in such a vast expanse of territory, it is difficult to locate the nests of a species which is colonial in habit, and without the tendency, apparently, to nest with individual freedom over the country. Finally, however, on the 26th of June a small colony of breeding geese with ten nests was dis- covered on the tundra near Foxe basin in latitude 65° 30' N. Eight of these were nests of the Blue Goose and two of the Lesser Snow Goose. Sets were incomplete with only one or two eggs—one nest alone contained three. This season it was disappointing to find that no Blue Geese nested in the immediate vicinity of Camp Kungovik. Judging from the numbers and actions of the Blue Geese, it was certain, however, that the nesting localities were at no great distance. Several years before Kavivow had tramped through this region on a carbou hunt well beyond the Asweetuk ridge and had noted but two places where the species nested in numbers. One was eight miles southwest of
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Blue Goose, taken near Bowman Bay, Foxe Basin. Bird slightly wounded. June 6th, 1929

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