254 Mr. G. Barnston on the 



by the natives there, as they pass up and down narrow rivers com- 

 municating with the sea-coast and the lakes of the interior. The 

 numerous flocks that are to be seen in the winter months on the 

 expanses of the larger rivers that run into the Pacific, embel- 

 lishing all the larger sheets of water with their silvery strings, 

 must break up as they enter or advance upon their long spring 

 journey, for they are generally seen but few together in the 

 neighbourhood of Hudson's Bay. They may be more united, 

 however, at the particular haunts where they breed. 



Superior to the Swan as an article of food, the Goose, of every 

 species, is the favourite dish of the Indian of Hudson's Bay. 

 When the long and dreary winter has fully expended itself, and 

 the Willow Grouse have taken their departure for the plains of 

 the North, there is frequently a period of rank starvation to 

 many, who are on their way from their wintering ground to the 

 Trading Posts. The first call, therefore, of the large Canada or 

 Grey Goose is heard with a rapture known only to those who 

 have endui'ed great privations. The tents are filled with hope, 

 to which joy soon succeeds, when the happy father or hopeful 

 son and brother throw down their grateful load. 



The Bernicla canadensis, here alluded to, is the largest of our 

 Geese, and is almost always first seen in the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany's territories, — at first perhaps only one straggler, or two or 

 three at most together, but soon to be followed by a continuous 

 flock of fresh immigrants. They are the advanced guard of the 

 serried legions of other water-fowl. This spring-bird, as if aware 

 of the general favour in which it is held, spreads itself diffusively 

 over the whole breadth of the continent. Its disposition has less 

 of wildness in it than that of the Snow Goose. We find it hatch- 

 ing in quiet holes and corners where there is placid water and 

 grass and rushes to afibrd it sustenance. It is at home over the 

 whole wooded country, as well as on the extensive marshes of 

 the sea-coast, and the mossy barrens of the Esquimaux and 

 Chipewyan Lands. During the winter, like the other species, 

 they take refuge in the more temperate parts of the country, 

 where they can always have open water. I have seen a small 

 flock in the strong open current of water above Lachinc, near 

 Montreal, in the mouth of January or February ; but this is rare. 



