268 DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



ancient times there was no entertainment or family festival 

 without the traditional Goose smoking on the board. In England 

 the Goose is still considered a festival bird. A custom intimately 

 associated with their national history still dictates that every true 

 Englishman should partake of Goose on Michaelmas Day. 



The flesh, and especially the fat of the Goose, keeps perfectly when 

 salted down. In parts of the world, in this state it is much employed 

 for culinary purposes. The enormous succulent livers which are 

 found in these precious birds after their forcible fattening are used 

 to make the delicious Strasbourg pies. Those of Nerac, as well as 

 those of Toulouse, are made more of Ducks' livers, for the latter 

 birds can be fattened in very nearly the same way as the Goose. 



The down and feathers of Geese are objects of considerable 

 trade. Before the invention of steel pens, the only implement 

 that was used for writing was the quill plucked from the 

 wing of the Goose. Great care was necessary in dressing them. 

 This was done by passing the barrel of the quill through hot 

 ashes, or plunging it into boiling water, with other clarifying 

 processes. 



From under the neck, the wings, and the breast of the birds, 

 the down is taken. This operation takes place every two months, 

 from March until autumn. 



Geese are certainly not so stupid as they are usually said to be. 

 The following facts will perhaps enable us to appreciate the moral 

 qualities which distinguish them : 



In Scotland a Goose became so attached to its master, that it 

 followed him about everywhere, just like a dog. One day this 

 gentleman, after mixing with the crowd which was moving about 

 the town he resided in, went into a barber's shop to get shaved. 

 The faithful bird had followed him, and waited at the door until 

 his master came out, in order to attend him in his subsequent 

 movements, and then accompanied him back to his home. This 

 intelligent creature could recognise its master's voice, although 

 clothed in any disguise. 



In Germany a Gander was in the habit of leading an old blind 

 woman to church every Sunday. It guided her by the skirt of her 

 dress, always conducting her to the seat in the church which she 

 usually occupied. Afterwards it returned into the churchyard to 



