58 WATER FOWL. 



usually upon the ground, although it has been found 

 upon the stump of a tree surrounded by water, and also 

 in the branches of a tree at a considerable height. It is 

 composed of various materials, such as dry plants, dead 

 leaves and grass, or sticks and moss, lined with feathers 

 and down, and is quite large. The eggs vary from six to 

 nine, sometimes more, when the bird is domesticated, and 

 they are a uniform ivory white. During July the young 

 are hatched, and the old birds moult. This is a danger- 

 ous period for them, as their means of escape are limited 

 to hiding away in the marshes, at which they are very 

 skillful, or else keeping out in the center of lakes or other 

 large bodies of water. Many, however, are killed at this 

 period, and sometimes whole flocks are captured alive, 

 of which fact Hearne relates an instance when some In- 

 dians drove into Fort Prince of Wales, on the Churchill 

 River, forty-one old and young birds which were incapa- 

 ble of flying, and which were herded as easily as if they 

 had been domesticated. 



As the days begin to shorten, and ice to form upon the 

 inland waters and along the borders of the sea, the Wild 

 Geese commence to prepare for their journey South. 

 Much conversation is indulged in, and doubtless the 

 various routes are discussed, and instructions to the 

 young given as to how they must behave in the trying 

 times before them; as there is no doubt that birds and 

 other animals can converse as intelligently with each 

 other as men can, so far as making their wants and inten- 

 tions known. Feathers having been thoroughly preened 

 and cleansed, and protected by an abundant dress- 

 ing of oil, everything is in readiness, and a favorable 

 wind from the north having sprung up, the flock, usually 

 consisting of a single family (although sometimes two or 

 three may join together), with loud cries and much flap- 



