This experiment was designed to show whether there were chemical differences within a population of wild lesser snow geese between the plumage of young of the year and older birds, males and females, left and right wings, and among primary flight feathers 2 to 7, inclusive. The chemical elements Na, Ca, K, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Si were used as variables. Many points of statistically significant difference were found, some reflecting physiological and metabolic differences associated with sex and growth.Tests for analytical error, due to technique or equipment, showed it to be large. That result emphasizes the need to randomize the order in which samples are run in this sort of work, and the need for adequate numbers of samples.