CANADA GOOSE. 67 



the common farmyard bird. Individuals that have been 

 wounded and captured, after they have recovered, often 

 make excellent decoys for their wild brethren, honking 

 with great vigor at every flock which comes in sight. 

 They are easily kept in confinement, only evincing a de- 

 sire to depart when the time for the annual spring migra- 

 tion comes, and then they watch for their brethren on the 

 wing bound for the northern breeding grounds. In the 

 interior the Wild Geese visit the grain-fields in great 

 numbers, and many are killed in such places, from blinds 

 made in the stacks of straw, or in holes in the ground. 

 Also the latter device is employed out on the open prai- 

 rie in the route the birds have adopted during the even- 

 ings and mornings, when flying to and from their feeding 

 grounds. 



As spring draws near and the green of the reviving 

 grass and rushes, and the swelling of the buds upon the 

 trees denote the ' beginning of another summer, the 

 Wild Geese grow uneasy and congregate together, keep- 

 ing up an incessant honking and gabbling, with much 

 dressing of the feathers and general preparation for a 

 great event. As the days lengthen and the sun grows 

 warmer, a few flocks will be seen high in air, headed to 

 the northward, and at length the time comes when, all 

 being ready, the main body, wit'h many Honks as in one 

 great chorus of farewell, takes leave of its winter home, 

 and starts on its long journey toward the Pole. Some 

 linger on, keeping company perhaps with wounded 

 birds unable to conquer the long route northward, 

 and some remain to breed even in latitudes that- 

 may be considered southern. But after the month 

 of April, in most localities, unless the season is 

 exceptionally late, the great armies of this species 

 have left our limits, and the sounds and bays 



