CAXADA GOOSE. 6i 



noisy, the Honks, in many keys and variations of inflec- 

 tion, resounding from every side. They seem deHghtcd 

 to have successfully reached what may possibly be 

 the termination of their journey (though doubtless many 

 a member of the little band has fallen by the way), and 

 splash about in the well-known waters, wash and dress 

 their feathers, and maintain an uninterrupted flow of 

 conversation. They keep much to themselves, whether 

 on the prairie or on the water, associating at times with 

 the Swan, if any are in the vicinity; though they make 

 no objection to flocks of various species of Ducks remain- 

 ing with them, and it is no unusual sight, on large bodies 

 of water in winter, to see flocks of Geese surrounded and 

 mixed up with great multitudes of deep-water Ducks, 

 and even Mud Hens or Blue Peters (Fulica auicricana), 

 which on calm days are in the habit of gathering in large 

 numbers on the open water away from shore. 



At all times the Canada Goose is a vigilant and 

 wary bird, having sentinels posted at various points 

 when the members of a flock are feeding, which with 

 outstretched necks remain motionless, keeping a keen 

 watch around. These are not neglected by their fellows, 

 but, after a spell of duty, are regularly relieved by others. 

 While trusting in a large degree to their guardians, the 

 other members of the flock are by no means neglectful 

 of all proper precaution, and each one also is on the alert 

 for danger even when engaged in feeding. They sub- 

 sist upon berries in their season, grasses, roots, and leaves 

 of various marine plants, which they dig up from the 

 bottom with their bills. This Goose does not dive wdien 

 feeding, but, keeping in shallow water, tilts up the hind 

 parts as do the Alallard and other Ducks, holding itself 

 in position by paddling with the feet, and reaching down 

 to the full extent of the long neck, grasps and pulls up 



