290 SWIMMERS. 



of the three his long-lost fugitive, who had now returned, 

 accompanied by her offspring, to share the hospitality of her 

 former acquaintance. However incredible this story may 

 appear, I have heard two or three relations of the same kind, 

 as well authenticated as any other facts in ndtural history. 

 One of these happened to a planter near Okrocock inlet, in 

 North Carolina, in which, as in the present instance, the female, 

 after being absent the summer, returned recruited with her 

 brood in autumn ; but the greedy farmer, less humane than 

 Mr. Piatt, having probably heard of the old adage that ^' a 

 bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," made sure of his 

 prizes by killing them without delay. It appears from the 

 relations of travellers, and particularly a Dr. Sanchez, that in 

 the Cossack villages on the Don (in the autumn of 1736), he 

 remarked, as he travelled along, a great number of Geese in 

 the air, which alighted and dispersed through the hamlets. 

 On inquiry he learned that these birds came from the remote 

 northern lakes, and that every year, on the breaking up of the 

 ice, six or seven pairs of Geese leave each hut of the village and 

 return not until the beginning of winter ; that then these flocks 

 arrive, increased by their progeny, and each little party, sepa- 

 rating from the rest, seek out the houses where they lived 

 the preceding winter. 



The Canada Goose breeds sparingly in the northern portions of 

 the New England States and in New Brunswick. It is still a 

 common bird, and in some localities is found in great numbers 

 while migrating. 



HUTCHINS GOOSE. 



southern goose. 



Branta canadensis hutchinsii. 



Char. Similar to Canada Goose in plumage, but of smaller size. 

 Length about 30 inches. 



Nest. Usually on a sandy beach, — a mere depression in the sand lined 

 ivith grass and feathers. Like the Canada Goose, this variety sometimes 

 builds in a tree, generally in the deserted nest of a Hawk or Crow, and 

 often builds on the ground a large nest of twigs and grass. 



■^^^^- 5~8; pale creamy or whitish; 3.20 X 2.10. 



