Miscellaneous Notes.



117



approaches too closely, their highnesses quickly show her her place,

when she humbly retires to stand about four yards away. This

attendance has been going on now for more than a year, and there

on the other side of the hedge is an exact replica in the case of the

Australian cranes, but they are less haughty, permitting their lady-

in-waiting to eat of the crumbs which fall from their table.


Other geese come up to feed and depart again, but each of

these geese-in-waiting remain with their respective lords and ladies.

I have seen the Sarus attendant busily grazing, and not having

noticed that the cranes have walked away ; then, when the discovery

is made, there is a fuss. Away she goes, flying off to overtake

them, as much as to say—Goodness me ! I shall catch it.” It is

really an absurd sight, the great stately grey birds stalking along,

very devoted to one another : and humbly following, there is always

the goose.


a- * *


Bye-the-bye! these hybrid geese are very handsome and

might easily be mistaken for a pure species of their own. There

are six in all: the males showing slightly the Magellanic blood,

the females darker coloured Buddy heads. In size they are nearer

Magellanic than Buddy head. One pair generally lives where the

Manchurian cranes are kept, but they take wing elsewhere at times,

some mornings coming past my bedroom windows, their snow-white

shoulders and secondaries very conspicuous with the dark green bar

dividing the white, as they fly. The two males exactly resemble

one another, as also do the four females.


* * *


Geese are wonderful homers. A Boss’ goose that I have,

although full-winged, seldom ever flies, and if it does, will only

circle round to settle again within the large wired enclosure, seeming

almost afraid to be outside its protection. True ! its mate is always

there, and pinioned.


# a-


We ought to take notes as to when the cranes call constantly

and loudly. I think it sometimes means fine weather. I have

noticed that after a day of rain, when the clouds begin to grow



