442 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AXSERES. 



this bird is very excellent eating, and fur superior to the Canada Goose in juiciness 

 and flavor. The young do not attain to the full plumage of the old bird before their 

 fourth year ; and until that period they keep in separate flocks. They are said to 

 liave been numerous at Fort Albany, in tlie southern portion of Hudson's Bay, where 

 the old birds were rarely seen ; and, on the other hand, the old birds in their migra- 

 tions visit York Factory in great niunbers, but always unaccompanied by their young. 

 They a})pear in the spring a few days later than the Canada Geese, and pass in large 

 flocks both (>u the coast and through the interior. 



According to the observations of Mr. Barnston, this sj^ecies — known among the 

 Indians as the W'evols or Wacies — is less conspicuous in the interior than some 

 other kinds of Geese. It seldom alights except along the margins of large lakes 

 and streams, and the grassy ponds of the prairies. Owing to its arrival in such great 

 numbers, it becomes the flrst object of sport in James Bay, and the havoc made 

 there is often very great. In the fall, when flocks of the young birds are passing 

 southward, it is no uncommon thing for a good shot to kill a hundred in a single day. 

 This bird still forms the staple article of food for natives at the Albany Factory. 

 This is the last of the Geese to leave for the south, its migration taking jdace in the 

 latter })art of September. 



These birds are deliberate and judicious, ]\Ir. Barnston adds, in their preparations 

 for flight, and make their arrangements in a business-like manner. They cease to 

 feed in the marshes, keeping out Avith the retreating tide, and at its floAv retiring step 

 by step, continually dressing their feathers Avith their fatty oil. They are then ready 

 for the first northerly Avind Avhich IjIoavs ; and in twenty-four hours the coast so lately 

 resonant Avith their incessant cries, and covered, })atch-like, Avith their AA'hitening 

 squadrons, is entirely deserted. 



Beinhardt states that this species is known as a bird of Greenland by the occur- 

 rence there of a few stragglers only in immature plumage. It is not known to breed 

 in any part of that coast occupied Ijy the Danish settlements, and probably does not 

 breed in any part of the island. 



Captain Blakiston speaks of this Goose as being late in its arrival in spring, and 

 as delaying l^ehind the others of its family in going south in the autumn. He found 

 it quite numerous both on Hudson's Bay and in the Avest, tracing it as far as the Rocky 

 Mountains. Mr. Boss S2:)eaks of it as equally abundant on the Mackenzie. He Avas 

 informed by Mr. I'ruden, a fur-trader, tliat the father of the latter, living at the Bed 

 River Settlement, had domesticated a pair of these birds, one of Avhich, after a time, 

 died. The next fall, as a flock of this species Avas passing over, one of them separated 

 itself from the others, descended, and took up its cpiarters Avith the tame Goose, 

 remaining there all winter. The folh)wing spring, however, it joined its brethren 

 as they came by, and proceeded north. In the fall it again returned, rejoining and 

 living Avith its mate of the former Avinter : this is said to have been repeated for 

 several years. 



Mr. Audubon's observations enabled him to ascertain that this species regularly 

 visits the valley of the Mississippi in October, individuals appearing in the immature 

 plumage a fortnight or more before the adult birds arrive. As a general thing the 

 flocks of old and young kept apart and did not mingle. This Goose Avas especially 

 abundant in the gray plumage about the mouth of the Mississippi, as Avell as on all 

 the muddy or grassy shores of the bays and iidets of the Gulf of Mexico. During 

 the rainy seasons it abounds among the large prairies of Louisiana, feeding on the 

 roots of plants. It is said to be more silent than any other species, rarely emitting 

 any cry except when })ursued after being Avounded. Dr. Bachman kejtt for several 



