CHAPTER XVII. 



WILD GEESE. 



TOWARDS the end of February or early in March, when the north 

 bound sun begins to thaw the ice and snow of winter, with it come the 

 first few bands of geese, the advance guard, as is were, of a mighty host. 

 Later, when the spring freshets, coming down from the mountains with 

 irresistible force, burst up the yielding ice, and, grinding the 

 great slabs into fragments, send them whirling and crashing down 

 the river, till they vanish in the angry floods of the flat lands, then 

 come the honking battalions of the main army. Immense chains of 

 geese pass ever northward : huge flocks in serried ranks feed on the 

 fields of young wheat ; while the sandy flats at noon are black with their 

 countless numbers. 



The heart of the farmer sinks within him as he sees field after field 

 shorn of its emerald coat, but that of the sportsman bounds with- joy as 

 the spirit of spring enters his soul, and, seizing his gun, he sallies forth 

 to pit his cunning and skill against those of the cleverest of birds. Who 

 so glad as he, as he tramps over ploughed field and sandy flat early 

 on a fine spring morning, his faculties all alert, planning how best he 

 may come within range of his quarry? His eyes search the plains for 

 irrigation canals wherein he may hide and await the long V-shaped lines 

 that he knows will pass presently over his head. He keeps a sharp look 

 out for dykes, along which he may creep till within range of some 

 unsuspecting flock greedily plucking up the tender blades of wheat. 



Whether one uses shot gun or rifle there are few sports that excol 

 that of igoose shooting. The size of the game together with the skill 

 and judgment required to bring it down, make the heart of the hunter 

 swell with pride when he returns home after a long day's tramp or ride 

 with a good bag. The experienced huniter seldom returns without 

 three or four geese, while occasionally a cartload has been the boasted 

 bag of an enthusiast in a good piece of country. 



