51 



CANADA GOOSE. 



CRAVAT GOOSE. 

 PLATE CLXXXVI. FIG. II. 



Anser Canadensis, . . . Fleming. 

 Alias Canadensis, .... Bewick. 

 Cygnus Canadensis, . . . Jenyns. 



The Canada Goose makes for herself, or rather for 

 her expected brood, a "downy bed" of feathers, within 

 a structure of dry plants of different kinds. It is of 

 large size, and raised to the height of several inches. 

 It is begun to be built in March or April, and is 

 placed among deep grass, near the Avater. Audubon 

 mentions his having found one on the stump of a large 

 tree, standing in the middle of a small pond, and at 

 a height of about twenty feet. Occasionally they build 

 in the old nests of other large birds; and while the hen 

 sits the male bird keeps sailing about over the water 

 in the neighbourhood, but not coming very close to 

 the nest. On the appearance of any danger he exhibits 

 much anxiety for his family. 



The eggs are sat upon by the end of May or the 

 beginning of June. They are generally six or seven 

 in number, but as many as nine have been found: they 

 are of a dull vvhitc colour. 



The figure on the plate is from a specimen laid in 

 St. James' Park. 



