202 BIRDS AND MAN 



monumental magnificence in a flock of geese ought 

 to be the kind of man to paint mountains, and 

 render somewhat of their majesty." 



I will venture to say that he looked at the sketch 

 or impression with the artist's clear eye, but had 

 not previously so looked at the living creature ; 

 or had not seen it clearly, owing to the mist of 

 images — if that be a permissible word — that floated 

 between it and his vision — remembered flavours 

 and fragrances, of rich meats, and of sage and 

 onions and sweet apple sauce. When this inter- 

 posing mist is not present, who can fail to admire 

 the goose — that stately bird-shaped monument of 

 clouded grey or crystal white marble, to be seen 

 standing conspicuous on any village green or common 

 in England ? For albeit a conquered bird, some- 

 thing of the ancient wild and independent spirit 

 survives to give him a prouder bearing than we 

 see in his fellow feathered servants. He is the 

 least timid of our domestic birds, yet even at a 

 distance he regards your approach in an attitude 

 distinctly reminiscent of the grey-lag goose, the 

 wariest of wild fowl, stretching up his neck and 

 standing motionless and watchful, a sentinel on 

 duty. Seeing him thus, if you deliberately go 

 near him he does not slink or scuttle away, as other 



