GEESE. 381 



gent observers, might have afforded opportunities of 

 ascertaining the extent of so unusual a development of 

 affection. 



A farmer in Cheshire possessed a flock of Geese, one 

 of which, at the end of about three years, without any 

 apparent cause, began to show a peculiar partiality for 

 its master. It first appeared on the bird's quitting its 

 companions in the barn-yard or pond, and stalking 

 after him. These symptoms became daily stronger, 

 and in a short time, wherever the farmer went, whether 

 to the mill or the blacksmith's shop, or through the 

 bustling streets of a neighbouring manufacturing town, the 

 Goose was at his heels. So perseveringly did it follow 

 his steps, that if he wished to go out alone, he was 

 under the necessity of fastening up the bird. 



The farmer was in the habit of holding his own 

 plough, and on these occasions, the Goose as regularly 

 passed the day in the ploughing field, walking sedately, 

 not with the usual waddling pace of its fellow Geese, 

 but with a firm step, head elevated, and neck erect, a 

 short way before him, in the line of the furrows, fre- 

 quently turning round and fixing its eyes intently upon 

 him. When the length of one furrow was accomplished 

 and the plough turned, the Goose, without losing its 

 step, adroitly wheeled about, and thus continued its 

 attendance till the evening, and then followed its master 

 home; and if permitted, would mount upon his lap as 

 he sat by the fire after dark, showing the strongest signs 

 of affection, and nestling its head in his bosom, or 

 preening the hair of his head with its beak as it was 

 wont to do its own feathers. Sometimes the farmer 

 would go out shooting, and no sooner had he shouldered 

 his gun, than his companion was at its post, following him 

 as before, in spite of every obstacle, " getting over," to 

 use the man's own words, " the fences as well as I could 

 myself." All this it should be observed, continued, not 

 only without any encouragement on the part of the 

 farmer, but even in spite of every discouragement on 



