6o WATER FOWL. 



edge of their course, and frequently descend and alight 

 upon the ground. Passing over large cities, or forests 

 of shipping, sometimes has a similar ef¥ect upon them. 



Migration is performed usually at night, though at 

 times many flocks are seen journeying by day. When 

 desiring to rest and feed, the ground beneath is care- 

 fully scanned, in order to select the place offering the 

 best sources of nourishment, as well as affording se- 

 curity from all danger. A suitable spot having been 

 found, at a call from the leader the birds begin to de- 

 scend, lowering themselves rapidly, and at times sailing 

 along on motionless pinions. If they have decided sud- 

 denly to stop, they will frequently drop abruptly in 

 a zigzag course, as is described in the articles on cer- 

 tain species of Ducks, and, when nearing the ground or 

 water, turn against the wind and settle gently down. 



When traveling the leader often utters a Honk, as if 

 asking how those following him were getting on, and is 

 answered with an " All well " reply from the rear. If he 

 becomes fatigued by the extra labor of cleaving the air he 

 falls out to one side, and some other old bird moves up 

 and takes his place, the former leader dropping into the 

 ranks again without disturbing their regularity or check- 

 ing the speed. This movement is accomplished with an 

 ease and smoothness that could only come from long 

 practice, and is most pleasing to w^itness. 



Toward October, or, if the season is late, some time in 

 November, these Geese begin to arrive on the waters of 

 our sea-coasts, and throughout the interior of the United 

 States, seeking their winter quarters. They come in 

 comparatively small flocks, succeeding each other 

 rapidly, generally flying high in the air, and, on alight- 

 ing, congregate together in masses, often containing 

 many hundreds of individuals. They are usually very 



