Hybridization of Canada Geese with Blue Geese in the Wild

While carry{ng out hunter bag checks in the vic{n{ty of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia, South Dakota, during the 1950 waterfowl hunting season, the author examined two adult male geese which proved to be crosses between one of the smaller Canada Geese (possibly Richardsoh's Goose, Branta canadensis hutchinsi) and the Blue Goose, Chen caerulescens. The hybrids were killed by hunters along the southeast boundary of the refuge on November 1 and 6, respectively. One was reported to have been shot from a flock of mixed Snow Geese (Chen hyperborea), Blue Geese, and Canada Geese, while the composition of the flock from which the second hybrid was killed could not be determined. The first bird was prepared as a study skin for the refuge collection (SLR No. 5). The second bird (MMNH No. 9763) was sent to the Minnesota Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, where Dr. W. J. Breckenridge and Dr. D. W. Warner of the museum verified the author's identification.