GEESE 205 



wintered every year in incredible numbers, and 

 were called " bustards " by the natives. To see 

 them again, as I have seen them, by day and all 

 day long in their thousands, and to listen again by 

 night to their wild cries, I would willingly give up, 

 in exchange, all the invitations to dine which I shall 

 receive, all the novels I shall read, all the plays I 

 shall witness, in the next three years ; and some 

 other miserable pleasures might be thrown in. 

 Listening to the birds when, during migration, on 

 a still frosty night, they flew low, following the 

 course of some river, flock succeeding flock all 

 night long ; or heard from a herdsman's hut on the 

 pampas, when thousands of the birds had encamped 

 for the night on the plain hard by, the effect of 

 their many voices (like that of their appearance 

 when seen flying) was singular, as well as beautiful, 

 on account of the striking contrasts in the various 

 sounds they uttered. On clear frosty nights they 

 are most loquacious, and their voices may be heard 

 by the hour, rising and falling, now few, and now 

 many taking part in the endless confabulation — 

 a talkee-talkee and concert in one ; a chatter as 

 of many magpies ; the solemn deep, honJc-honk, 

 the long, grave note changing to a shuddering 

 sound ; and, most wonderful, the fine silvery 



