LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN WILD FOWL 209 



appears to be the usual behavior when the nest is approached during incuba- 

 tion. We saw two other nests on this day, one on a small grassy islet in the 

 same beaver meadow, containing 3 eggs, and another on an island in the 

 Third Battle with 6 eggs. 



Eggs. — The Canada goose lays from 4 to 10 eggs, usually 5 or 6. 

 They vary in shape from ovate to elliptical ovate, with a tendency 

 in some specimens toward fusiform. The shell is smooth or only 

 slightly rough, but with no gloss. The color is creamy white or 

 dull, dirty white at first, becoming much nest stained and sometimes 

 variegated or nearly covered with "cream buff." The measure- 

 ments of 84 -eggs, in various collections average 85.7 by 58.2 milli- 

 meters; the eggs showing the four extremes measure 99.5 by 56, 

 87.6 by 63.6, 79 by 56.5, and 86.5 by 53.5 millimeters. 



Young. — ^The period of incubation varies from 28 to 30 days; 

 probably the former is the usual time under favorable circum- 

 stances. The gander never sits on the nest, but while the goose is 

 incubating he is constantly in attendance, except when obliged to 

 leave in search of food. He is a staunch defender of the home and 

 is no mean antagonist. Audubon (1840) relates the following: 



It is during the breeding season that the gander displays his courage and 

 strength to the greatest advantage. I knew one that appeared larger than 

 usual, and of which all the lower parts were of a rich cream color. It returned 

 three years in succession to a large pond a few miles from the mouth of 

 Green River, in Kentucky, and whenever I visited the nest it seemed to look 

 upon me with utter contempt. It would stand in a stately attitude until I 

 reached within a few yards of the nest, when suddenly lowering its head and 

 shaking it as if it were dislocated from the neck, it would open its wings 

 and launch into the air, flying directly at me. So daring was this fine fellow 

 that in two instances he struck me a blow with one of his wings on the right 

 arm, which for an instant I thought was broken. I observed that immediately 

 after such an effort to defend his nest and mate he would run swiftly toward 

 them, pass his head and neck several times over and around the female, and 

 again assume his attitude of defiance. 



The same gifted author writes regarding the care of the young 

 as follows : 



The lisping sounds of their offspring are heard through the shell ; their 

 little bills have formed a breach in the inclosing walls ; full of life and be- 

 decked with beauty they come forth, with tottering steps and downy covering. 

 Toward the water they now follow their careful parent ; they reach the 

 border of the stream ; their mother already floats on the loved element ; one 

 after another launches forth and now the flock glides gently along. What a 

 beautiful sight. Close by the grassy margin the mother slowly leads her 

 innocent younglings ; to one she shows the seed of the floating grass, to an- 

 other points out the crawling slug. Her careful eye watches the cruel turtle, 

 the garfish, and the pike that are lurking for their prey, and, with head in- 

 clined, she glances upward to the eagle or the gull that are hovering over 

 the water in search of food. A ferocious bird dashes at her young ones ; she 



