214 FIELD SHOOTING. 



flock of these mixed Mexicans. The latter are 

 more numerous now than either Canada geese or 

 brant. They have increased in number of late 

 years, not only relatively, but absolutely. Just 

 before they go off northwards in the spring the 

 mixed flocks of these geese pack together on the 

 prairies and on rather elevated spots until there 

 are three or four thousand in a body. They leave 

 in these great packs. When they have gathered, 

 and are preparing to set out on their long flight 

 they may be seen to rise and circle round so as 

 to cast a shadow on the ground like a cloud. 

 These geese fly by night. They always seem to 

 arrive in the night, and they leave by night. 

 They utter a different cry from Canada geese and 

 from brant, and are much more noisy than either. 

 When, in their flight through the air, they go over, 

 or nearly over, the lights of a town or village, 

 they make a great row. On the table they are 

 plump and nice, as good as brant, but to my 

 thinking not as good as the Canada goose. That 

 is the king of the wild geese ; more juicy than 

 any other, as well as twice the size. The great 

 mixed flocks of Mexican geese present a mottled 

 appearance when clearly seen. Some are pale 

 blue in color, some grizzly gray, some have white 



