170 THE CANADA GOOSB. 



whose regular periodical migrations are the sure signals of 

 returning spring, or approaching winter. The tracts of 

 their vast migratory journeys are not confined to the sea- 

 coast or its vicinity. In their aerial voyages to and from 

 the north, these winged pilgrims pass over the interior, on 

 both sides of the mountains, as far west, at least, as the 

 Osage river ; and I have never yet visited any quarter of 

 the country where the inhabitants are not familiarly ac- 

 quainted with the regular passing and repassing of the 

 Wild Geese. 



The general opinion here is, that they are on their way 

 to the lakes to breed ; but the inhabitants on the confines 

 of the great lakes that separate us from Canada, are equally 

 ignorant with ourselves of the particular breeding places of 

 those birds. There, their journey north is but commenc- 

 ing J and how far it extends it is impossible for us, at pre- 

 sent, to ascertain, from our little acquaintance with these 

 frozen regions. They were seen by Heame, in large flocks, 

 within the Arctic circle, and were then pursuing their way 

 still further north. Captain Phipps speaks of seeing Wild 

 Geese feeding at the water^s edge on the dreary coast of 

 Spitzbergen, in lat. 80° 27'. It is highly probable that 

 they extend their migrations under the very pole itself, 

 amid the silent desolation of unknown countries, shut out 

 since creation from the prying eye of man by everlasting 

 and insuperable barriers of ice. That such places abound 

 with their suitable food, we cannot for a moment doubt • 



