56G THE rE.iTHEllED TRIBES. 



Though the ordinary European tame goose is kept in North America, the Canada goose 

 is also kept as a domestic bird, and is said to thrive better than the former. In France 

 and Enghmd it has been domiciled, and interbreeds with the common goose ; the hybrids 

 are highly esteemed for the very superior flavour and delicacy of their flesh. The 

 Canada goose is said to be extremely watchful, and more sensible of approaching 

 changes in the atmosphere than our ordinary species. 



A writer in tlie " Magazine of Katural History" says: " In this neigbourhood (near 

 Derby), we are frequently visited by small flocks of the Canada goose, which is a 

 bird, I believe, of very local distribution. They always announce their approach 

 by a loud noise, and, after wheeling two or three times round the piece of water 

 near the house, thej' alight and commence grazing. They are very ornamental 

 objects, stalking about the lawn, tossing their heads and making curious contortions 

 with their long necks. It frequently happens that two remain when all the rest 

 arc flown. After reconnoitering the place for a few days, they usually flx on the 

 corner of an island as their ncsting-jilace. This favourite nook of theirs is not far 

 from where a pair of moorhens, year after year, produce their young ; yet neither 

 goose nor moorhen ever interfere with each other, but keep on very good terms ; 

 nevertheless, the former docs not permit her sooty ccmpanion to make too close an 

 approach. After the female goose has fully made up her mind as to the localitj^ of 

 her nursery, she begins plucking feathers, straws, and other soft materials, until she has 

 at last constructed u i'eather bed. Having laid her eggs, generally six, she sits with 

 most exemplary patience, and notwithstanding the proximity of the water, which oflers 

 a great temptation, it is rare to find her off her nest. During the period of incubation 

 the male is, tlirough the greater part of the day, sailing in measured time and slow over 

 Ihe water, never approaching liis mate very near, nor straying very far. On the 

 approacli ol' any intruder, he displays great uneasiness, and his tranquillity does not 

 return till the danger is over. Shortly after the goslings have extricated themselves 

 from their brittle covering, they are conducted lo the water by the female, when they 

 are joined b}' the male, who brings up the rear. The little family remain together till 

 the return of the flock, when all mix promiscuously, recruit themselves for a few days, 

 and then dejjart. A pinioned female was joined by a male. Wlien (hey were approached 

 the nude did nul lly away until lie was pursued so closely as to be in danger of being 

 caught ; he remained with his mate as long as was consistent with his liberty ; when 

 that was in danger, and not till tlicn, ho deserted tlic female. Several of the wild 

 goslings were obtained in the season of is:]-i ; two of them passed into the hands of a 

 neighbouring farmer, in whose possession they have remained ever since. They associate 

 with liis domesticated gray-leg geese, and are very peaceable. Montagu iiad observed, 

 that the Canada gocse will breed witli the common species. Bewick says : ' Great 

 numbers of these Canadian geese weic driven from their haunts during (he sevei'c snow 

 storms of January and february, JS14 ; they were taken upon the sea-slu)re, near 

 Hartlepool, and divided among the farmers in tlie neighbourhood, no pains having 

 been taken to keep the breed pure.' 



A remarkable account ol' a Canada goose, tlie property of Mr. Sharpc, of Little Grove, 

 East Barnet, was inserted by tliat gentleman in his copy of " Willughby's Ornithology," 

 and he admits tliat he was aware it would with ditKculty gain credit, were not a wliole 

 liarisli able to vouch for the Irutli of it. The substance of the story is as follows: — 

 Thougli Canada gocse are geneially of a rambling disposition, this one was observed to 

 attach itself in tlie strongest manner lo the house-dog, and would never quit thcJ kennel, 

 except for tlie purpose of feeding, when it would return again immediately. It always 

 sat by the dog ; but never i)resumed to go into the kennel, except in rainy weather. 



Whenever the dog barked, tlic goose wouM cackle and run at the person she supposed 



