Geese, Wild 



Geese sometimes fly in a straight line; but more fre- 

 quently make a triangular figure, that permits each one 

 .... to see its leader. Some naturalists say that 

 geese fly to a greater height than any other bird; others 

 say they are surpassed by herons. They are often, how- 

 ever, at so great height that they may be heard, when 

 nothing more of them than a black line can be seen. 



Flagg. a Year With the Birds.^ 



I suspect it will be found there is really some advantage 

 in large birds of passage flying in the wedge form and 

 cleaving their way through the air, — that they really do 

 overcome its resistance best in this way, and perchance 

 the direction and strength of the wind determine the 

 comparative length of the two sides. 



Thoreau. Spring.^^ 



Far and high the wild geese cry, 



*' Spring! It is spring!" Celia Thaxter. 



Cloud-clearing geese to the lakes are a-steering. 



Selected. 



GOLDFINCH. WILD CANARY. THISTLE-BIRD 



As pretty a sight as any garden offers is when a family 

 of goldfinches aUghts on the top of a sunflower to feast 

 upon the oily seeds — a perfect harmony of brown and 

 gold. 



Neltje Blanchan. Bird Neighbors.^^ 



70 



