CANADA GOOSE. 



Spring arrival of the Canada goose — Continued. 



75 



The Canada goose is aboutdie earliest water bird to migrate in spring, 

 and tliroughout the whole course of its journey from its winter home 

 to the Arctic coast it keeps close to the melting ice and the opening 

 streams. The following dates seem a fair averag-e for the time of 

 arrival in the several districts: 



Locality. 



Southeastern Iowa. . 

 Southern Minnesota 

 Central Minnesota . . 

 Southern Manitoba . 



Alberta 



Southern Mackenzie 

 Northern Mackenzie 



Date. 



Feb. 20 

 Mar. 19 

 Mar. 28 

 Apr. 6 

 Apr. 22 

 May 3 

 May 12 



If the time occupied in passing from one district to the next is com- 

 pared with the distance traveled, it will be found that the speed varies 

 widely in different parts of the migration route. The following are 

 approximate averages: 



From latitude 40° to latitude 44°, 9 miles per day. 

 From latitude 44° to latitude 46°, 15 miles per day. 

 From latitude 46° to latitude 50°, 20 miles per day. 

 From latitude 50° to latitude 58°, 23 miles per day. 

 From latitude 58° to latitude 62°, 25 miles per day. 

 From latitude 62° to latitude 66°, 30 miles per day. 



A great many records of the si)ring arrival of the Canada goose at 

 the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company are available. Since this bird 

 forms an important part of the food, both of the Indians and of the 

 company's employees, a record is kept of its arrival each spring, and 

 a reward is given to the person that secures the first one. These 



