352 AVEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



reiterated cry ; his loud but simple clarion, answered by 

 tlie yielding ranks, dispels the gloom of solitude through 

 which they laboriously wander to uncertain and perhaps 

 hostile lands. At length they come in sight of the habi- 

 tations of men, suspicious of these appearances they urge 

 their flight higher and more silently in the air ; bewildered 

 by fogs, however, they often descend so low, and honk so 

 loud as to give sufficient notice of their approach to the 

 ambitious gunner, who thus pours destruction among the 

 alarmed and confused flock. They also hear, or think they 

 hear, a wandering companion lost from their cherished 

 ranks, they approach the object, and it is but a domestic 

 traitor of their species, or the well imitated call of the wily 

 fowler. Towards evening, desirous of relieving the toil 

 and hunger of his adventurous band, the intelligent leader, 

 reconnoitres from his lofty station the resting place of his 

 charge ; he espies the reedy river or silent lake, whose 

 grassy margins offer the necessary supply and cover to their 

 lodgment, his loud call now redoubles at the pleasing 

 prospect, and they all alight, and silently repose in darkness 

 upon the still water. Early in the morning they renew their 

 wandering course, and according to the time and season, visit 

 every part of the Union to the shores of the Mexican Gulf. 



The autumnal flight of the Canada Geese to the coast of 

 Hudson's Bay, and their residence there continues for three 

 weeks or a month, previous to their departure for the south, 

 which usually takes place in September. Early in October 

 they arrive on the coasts of the Eastern and Middle States. 



The residents of Hudson's Bay depend greatly on Geese 

 for their supply of winter provision ; and, according to 

 Hutchins, in favorable years, they killed 3 or 4000, and 

 barrelled them up for use. These are obtained chiefly by 

 means of ambuscade and decoy ; bough huts being made by 

 the Indians in lines over the marshes they frequent to feed ; 



