Addressed to: tweeters at u.washington.edu
cannings at vip.net

Hi, all. The Ross' Goose is still around the farm country SE of Prince George
here in central BC. A couple of observers which observed it last evening
noted that it seemed to be paired with a larger (actually one of the medium-
sized races) Canada Goose. The birds spent a great deal of time in mutual
neck-rubbing, and encroachment on the Ross' space by nearby Canadas was met by
earnest hissing and lunging by the Canada Goose "mate". This suggests that
the Ross' may be a female. A quick check of the Birds of North America monograph
by John P. Ryder and Ray T. Alisauskas (1995) notes the following crosses
with Ross' in captivity: Greylag; Emperor; Cackling Canada; Red-breasted;
and Blue-winged Geese. The only natural cross documented was with Snow Goose.
It seems that a natural cross is quite likely in the apparently "non-picky"
Ross' Goose! I would be glad to hear from anyone with actual experience in
this matter.

- Jack

Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca