LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN WILD FOWL 205 



and oilinfT of feathers in the way of preparation ; at length a flock 

 or two may be seen mounting into the air and starting off north- 

 ward, headed by the older and stronger birds, the veterans of many 

 a similar trip; flock after flock joins the procession, until the last 

 have gone, leaving their winter homes deserted and still. The old 

 ganders know the way and lead their trustful flocks by the straight- 

 est and safest route; high in the air, with the earth spread out 

 below them like a map, they follow no coast line, no mountain chain, 

 and no river valley; but directly onward over hill and valley, river 

 and lake, forest and plain, city, toAvn, and country, their course 

 points straight to their summer homes. Flying by night or by day, as 

 circumstances require, they stop only when necessary to rest or feed, 

 and then only in such places as their experienced leaders know to be 

 safe. A thick fog may bewilder them and lead them to disaster or a 

 lieavv snowstorm may make them turn back, but soon they are on 

 their way again, and ultimately they reach their breeding grounds 

 in safety. 



Courtship. — The older geese are paired for life, and many of the 

 younger birds, which are mating for the first time, conduct their 

 courtship and perhaps select their mates before they start on their 

 spring migration. Audubon (1840) gives a graphic account of the 

 courtship of the Canada goose, as follows : 



It is extremely amusing to witness the courtship of the Canada goose in 

 all its stages: and let me assure you. reader, that altliough a gander does not 

 strut before his beloved with the pomposity of a turkey, or the grace of a 

 dove, his ways are quite as agreeable to the female of his choice. I can 

 imagine before me one who has just accomplished the defeat of another male 

 after a struggle of half an hour or more. He advances gallantly toward the 

 object of contention, his head scarcely raised an inc^h from the ground, 

 his bill open to its full stretch, his fleshy tongue elevated, his eyes darting 

 fiery glances, and as he moves he hisses loudly, while the emotion which he 

 experiences causes his quills to shake and his feathers to rustle. Now he is 

 close to her who in liis eyes is all loveliness; his neck bending gracefully in 

 all directions, pas.ses all round her, and occasionaUy touches her body ; and 

 as she congratulates him on his victory, and acknowledges his affection, they 

 move their necks in a hundred curious ways. At this moment fierce jealousy 

 urges the defeated gander to renew liis efforts to obtain his love ; he advances 

 apace, his eye glowing with the tire of rage ; he shakes his broad wings, ruffles 

 up his whole plumage, and as he rushes on the foe hisses with the intensity 

 of anger. The whole flock seems to stand amazed, and opening up a space, 

 the birds gather round to view the combat. The bold bird who has been 

 caressing his mate, scarcely deigns to take notice of his foe, but seems to send 

 a scornful glance toward him. He of the mortified feelings, however, raises 

 his bod.v, half opens his sinewy wings, and with a powerful blow, sends forth 

 his defiance. The affront can not be borne in the presence of so large a com- 

 pany, nor indeed is there much disposition to bear it in any circumstances; 

 the blow is returned with vigor, the aggressor reels for a moment, but he soon 

 recovers, and now the combat rages. Were the weapons more deadly, l\'ats 



