244 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



possibly the descendants of the proud companions of Brennus, or of 

 the conquerors of Northern Italy, appear still to inherit this ances- 

 tral hatred. At some of the French village fetes they are in the 

 habit of hanging up geese by the feet in order to cut through their 

 necks with a sword, or to beat them to death by hurling stones 

 and sticks at their heads. At every blow the poor creature must 

 suffer dreadful agony, but it is relieved by death. It is then borne 

 away in triumph, and its mutilated carcase afterwards appears at 

 table to be devoured by its destroyers. The National Assembly of 

 France most properly forbade this brutal and sanguinary amusement, 

 as being dishonourable to a civilised nation. 



It is difficult to say why the Goose should have been considered 

 from the earliest ages as the symbol of stupidity. Their sight is 

 sharp and piercing, and they enjoy a remarkable delicacy of hearing. 

 Their watchfulness seems never at fault. When they either sleep 

 or eat, one of their number is placed as a sentinel. With neck 

 stretched out and head in the air, the guard scrutinises the distant 

 horizon in every direction, ready at the slightest alarm to give a 

 signal of danger to the rest of the flock. 



The figure formed by a flight of Wild Geese indicates no slight 

 degree of intelligence. They place themselves in two slanting lines, 

 forming a < shaped angle, or sometimes in a single line, if they are 

 not numerous. This arrangement allows each bird to follow the 

 route with the least possible amount of resistance. When the 

 individual which heads the flight begins to be fatigued, it takes its 

 place in the rear, each bird in its turn leading the flock. 



Geese being too numerous to travel in large flocks, it appears 

 as if they fixed upon some rendezvous where they separate in 

 order to distribute themselves over various countries. To Europe 

 they come principally from Asia. On their arrival, the flocks 

 disperse themselves over different districts. In Britain they make 

 their appearance towards the beginning of winter, and depart to- 

 wards the end of April. Formerly they are said to have been 

 abundant, and to have been even permanent; now they are rare, 

 and are seldom known to breed in that country. On their arrival 

 they resort to open pastures and cultivated fields, feeding on the 

 roots of aquatic grasses, young corn, clover, and other green herb- 

 age. On an alarm being given by the bird on watch, they all erect 

 their necks, run forward, and uttering their loud, grating cry, spring 

 into the air, departing with a heavy, measured, but powerful flight. 

 According to Temminck, "the wild goose inhabits the seas, coasts, 

 and marshes of eastern countries, seldom advancing northward be- 



