Bird Study 141 



the two valiantly started south on foot. News was received of their prog- 

 ress for some distance and then they were lost to us. During the winter our 

 neighbor visited a friend living eighteen miles to the southward and 

 found in his barnyard the errant pair. They had become tired of 

 migrating by tramping and had joined the farmer's flock; but we were 

 never able to determine the length of time required for this journey. 



LESSON XXXIII 



GEESE 



Leading thought Geese are the most intelligent of the domesticated 

 birds, and they have many interesting habits. 



Method This lesson should not be given unless there are geese where 

 the pupils may observe them. The questions should be given a few at a 

 time and answered individually by the pupils after the observations are 

 made. 



Observations i . What is the chief difference between the appearance 

 of a goose and a duck? How does the beak of the goose differ from that 

 of the duck in shape and in texture? Describe the nostrils and their 

 situation. 



2. What is the difference in shape between the neck of the goose and 

 that of the duck? 



3. What can you say about the plumage of geese? How are geese 

 "picked?" At what time of year? From what parts of the body are the 

 the feathers plucked? 



4. Are the wings of the goose large compared with the body? How 

 do geese exercise their wings ? Describe the tail of the goose and how it 

 is used. 



5. How do the legs and feet of the goose differ from those of the duck? 

 Describe the goose's foot. How many toes are webbed? Where is the 

 other toe? What is the shape of the track made by the goose's foot? 

 Which portions of the legs are used for oars? When the goose is swim- 

 ming forward where are her feet? When turning around how does she 

 use them? Does the goose waddle when walking or running as a duck 

 does? Why? Does a goose toe-in when walking? Why? 



6. Describe the shape and color of the following breeds of domestic 

 geese: The Toulouse, the Embden, the African, and Chinese. 



Habits of Geese 



1. What is the chief food of geese? What do they find in the water 

 to eat ? How does their food differ from that of ducks ? 



2 . How do geese differ from hens in the matter of mating and nesting ? 

 At what time of year do geese mate ? Does a pair usually remain mated 

 for life? 



3. Describe the nest and compare the eggs with those of hens. 

 Describe the young goslings in general appearance. With what are they 

 covered? What care do the parents give to their goslings? Describe 

 how the parents take their family afield. How do they induce their 

 goslings to go into the water for the first time? How do they protect 

 them from enemies? 



