288 SWIMMERS. 



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 lodg- 

 ment. 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 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 Bay depend greatly on Geese for 

 their supply of winter provision ; and according to Hutchins, 

 in favorable years they kill three or four thousand, and bar- 

 rel 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. 

 Mimicking their call, they are brought within gunshot, and the 

 deception is also enhanced by stales and setting up the dead 

 birds on sticks, in living attitudes. Thus in a good day a 

 single native will kill as many as two hundred. When the 

 frosts begin, the Geese are readily preserved, with the feath- 

 ers on, in a frozen state, and thus afford a durable supply of 

 fresh provision. The feathers also constitute an article of 

 commerce. 



In the shallow bays and marshy islands some Geese continue 

 the whole winter in New Jersey and the Southern States, through 

 which they spread themselves to the very extremity of Florida. 

 Their principal food is the sedge roots and other herbage ; they 

 also crop Ulvas and tender marine plants, and swallow quanti- 

 ties of gravel. They swim with ease and elegance, and when 



