340 Barnston on the Swans and Geese 



doubt that tbe great mass of the grey geese pass their winter 

 to the south of the Platte waters, in the swamps of Florida and the 

 Lower Mississippi, and on the waters of the western side of the 

 continent, towards their outlets into the Pacific. Now that the 

 rifle and fusee have been introduced so plentifully into California 

 and Oregon, it is to be feared that the numbers of the larger wild 

 fowl will decrease rapidly. The bow and arrow formerly thinned 

 them considerably ; now the gun, with an increasing population, 

 will have more fatal effect. 



The lesser grey goose, (Bernicla Hutckinsii,) arrives in subarctic 

 regions later than the other, and about the same time or shortly 

 before the snow goose, [Anser hyperboreus) They are- shot oc- 

 casionally in the interior when they alight, and in considerable 

 unmbers at Albany, and elsewhere along the coast of James's 

 and Hudson's Bays. Unlike the large grey goose, it can scarcely 

 be said that they incubate in a scattered and detached manner 

 over the whole extent of the wooded country. They rather pro- 

 ceed in large and united bands, keeping a lofty flight, and making 

 few stoppages until they reach the coast. On arrival there, abont 

 the beginning of May, they immediately commence feeding in the 

 salt marshes, on the soft white rooted grasses, continuing to do 

 so for a fortnight or three weeks, and at last becoming quite 

 plump, and capital subjects for the table. When fully in good 

 plight, they take their departure for mor« arctic regions,at nearly the 

 same time as the snow geese, not to appear again until they return 

 with their young broods in the month of September. These 

 smaller grey geese are killed in fewer numbers than the larger 

 species, on their passage to Hudson's Bay, which may be account- 

 ed for by their higher and more continuous flight, but once they 

 settle upon their feeding grounds the tables turn upon them, and 

 the slaughter committed in their ranks is wonderful, and would 

 sate the greatest Nimrod that ever waded swamp. 



The Brant goose [Bernicla Brenta,) the Calliwappemaw of 

 the coast Crees, is but little looked after or cared for in Hudson's 

 Bay, being a small species, keeping out to sea on the shoals, and 

 towards lowest watermark, and aftbrding a dish not in high esti- 

 mation. Their arrival in the north is later than most of the 

 waders and palmipedes. 



The snow goose, [Anser hyperboreus,) although it plays a less 

 conspicuous part in the interior of the country, where it seldom 

 alights except along the margins of the larger lakes and streams, 



