THE CANADA GOOSE. 237 



the choice they had made; after which, although 

 they remained together, any person could easily per- 

 ceive that they were careful to keep in pairs. 



" Such are the conflicts of these ardent lovers, and 

 so full of courage and of affection toward their fe- 

 males are they, that the approach of a male invaria- 

 bly ruffles their tempers as well as their feathers. No 

 sooner has the goose laid her first egg, than her bold 

 mate stands almost erect by her side, watching even 

 the rustling sound of the breeze. The least noise 

 brings from him a sound of anger. Should he spy 

 a raccoon making its way among the grass, he walks 

 up to him undauntedly, hurls a vigorous blow at him, 

 and drives him instantly away. Nay, I doubt if man 

 himself, unarmed, would come off unscathed in such 

 an encounter. 



" The Canada Goose is less shy when met with far 

 inland, than when on the sea-coast. They usually 

 feed in the manner of swans and fresh water ducks, 

 that is, by plunging their heads toward the bottom 

 of shallow ponds or the borders of lakes and rivers, 

 immersing their fore parts, and frequently exhibiting 

 their legs and feet with the posterior portion of their 

 body elevated in the air. They never dive on such 

 occasions. Wherever you find them, and however 

 remote from the haunts of man the place may be, 

 they are at all times so vigilant and suspicious, that 

 it is extremely rare to surprise them. In keenness 

 of sight and acuteness of hearing, they are perhaps 

 surpassed by no bird whatever. They act as senti- 

 nels toward each other, and during the hours at which 



