GOOSEY, GOOSEY GANDER 147 



the same rude treatment on many previous occasions. 

 Drawing up before the gate again, he called more loudly 

 than before ; then deliberately hfted a leg, and placing 

 his broad webbed foot like an open hand against the 

 gate, actually tried to push it open. His strength was 

 not sufficient, but he continued to push and call until 

 the man returned to open the gate and let the birds 

 go in." 



If only for his sturdy independence and his in- 

 sistence on his rights the gander is a bird whose 

 character is worthy of study. He is courageous too ; 

 so is his wife. She will stand up fearlessly to a boy, 

 a kite, or even a fox, when her brood is threatened. 

 Last year in the Lahore Zoological Gardens a goose 

 hatched a number of goslings. The kites regarded 

 these as fair game, and, in spite of the efforts of the 

 mother, carried off several of the young birds. There- 

 upon four ganders took counsel and constituted them- 

 selves a bodyguard for the goose and chicks, one or 

 more of them being always on duty. In spite of this 

 a kite managed to secure another gosling. The mother 

 and her remaining five chicks were then placed in a 

 cage ; notwithstanding this, the ganders still main 

 tained their guard and cried loudly whenever a 

 human being approached the cage containing the 

 brood. 



The goose, like the swan, uses its wing as a weapon. 

 When it attacks it stretches its neck and head low along 

 the ground and hisses ; it then dashes at its adversary, 

 seizes him with beak and claws, and lays on to him 

 right well with its powerful wings. 



