ANSERIN^E — THE GEESE — BERNICLA. 461 



were found breeding in trees, depositing their eggs in the deserted nests of Ravens 

 and Fish-hawks. Its call is imitated by a prolonged nasal pronunciation of the 

 syllable icook frequently repeated. 



Mr. George Barnston states that this species — the largest of any of the Geese 

 visiting Hudson's Bay — is almost always the earliest in its arrival. At first only a 

 single straggler appears ; then two or three together, soon to be followed by a contin- 

 uous flock of fresh immigrants. These are the advance-guard of the serried legions 

 of other Waterfowl, and they soon spread themselves over the whole breadth of the 

 continent. In its disposition this species has less of wildness than the Snow Goose. 

 It hatches in quiet corners, where there is still water, and grass and rushes to afford 

 it sustenance. It is at home in the wooded country as well as in the extensive 

 marshes of the sea-coast, and on the Barrens of the Eskimo lands. During the winter 

 it takes refuge in the open water of more southern regions, although Mr. Barnston 

 saw a small flock of this species in the open current of water above Lachine, near 

 Montreal, in the month of January or February. Before Oregon was settled, the 

 Post at Fort Vancouver was supplied with these Geese in immense numbers. 



Captain Blakiston gives as the range of this species in the territory of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company, from the Bay to the Rocky Mountains, as far north as the 

 Arctic Ocean. He found that it was the earliest of the Geese, appearing at Fort 

 Carlton as early as March 28, and remaining there as late as November 3. It is not 

 restricted in its breeding-grounds to the Far Xorth, as he discovered a nest with four 

 eggs between the north and south branches of the Saskatchewan on the 4th of May. 

 It also occurs west of the Rocky jNlountains, and Mr. R. Browne gives it as one of the 

 common birds of Vancouver Island. 



Hearne, in the " Narrative of his Journey to the Northern Ocean " (p. 437), desig- 

 nates this species as the common Gray Goose, while he gives the name of Canada Goose 

 to the Bernicla Hutchinsi. He also states that this bird precedes every other in the 

 Hudson's Bay region, and that in some early springs it is seen on Churchill River as 

 soon as the latter end of April, although more commonly arriving between the 11th 

 and the 16th of May. In one year it did not make its appearance until the 26th of 

 May. At their first arrival these birds generally come in pairs, and are readily 

 decoyed by cries imitating their notes, so that they are easily shot. They breed 

 in great numbers in the plains and marshes near Churchill River; and in some 

 years the young ones are taken in considerable numbers, and are easily tamed; 

 they will, however, never learn to eat corn unless some of the old ones are taken 

 with them. 



IMr. Hearne adds that on the 9th of August, 1781, when residing at Fort Prince of 

 Wales, he sent a party of Indians in canoes up Churchill River to procure some of 

 these Geese. In the afternoon they were seen coming down the river driving a large 

 flock before them, the young ones not more than half grown, and the old ones so far 

 advanced in moiilting as to be incapable of flying. The whole flock, to the number 

 of forty-one, was driven within the stockade which incloses the fort, where they were 

 fattened for winter use. Wild Geese fattened in this way are preferable, in his 

 opinion, to any others. When full grown, and in good condition, this bird often 

 weighs twelve pounds. 



According to Dr. Cooper this is not a very common Goose in California, though 

 some are sold in the market every winter. He met with a few in January near Fort 

 Mojave, but saw none at San Diego. By its large size and sonorous honk-honk, 

 uttered as it flies, this bird may readily be distinguished from other species, even 

 at a considerable distance. It is much more southern in its range than the other 



