Birds of Farm and Zoo 



[73 



and he "policed" the barnyard in such a way that we liked to 

 imagine him in a cap and badge. Even the adults of the family 

 hesitated to do anything out of the ordinary routine for fear of 

 provoking Simon's displeasure. 



Geese react resourcefully under danger. A goose is quick to dive 

 under water if it is wounded. Then, with its body just below the 

 surface and only its bill exposed, it heads for shore where it tries 

 to hide among the brush and grass. 



Both goose and gander will defy a suspected enemy by opening 

 the mouth and hissing violently. Nor is this loud "talk" a bluff. 

 A gander is able to seize many smaller adversaries in his strong 

 hard bill and beat them to death with his wings. 



The Canada Goose: There are several species of wild geese on the 

 North American continent, but probably none are more widely 

 known than the Canada goose. At one season or another this bird 



THE CANADA GOOSE-ANYTHING BUT SILLY 



Most observers are agreed that the goose is the most intelligent of all our domesti- 

 cated birds. The Canada goose is perhaps the most famous of all the wild varieties. 

 It is greatly admired for its fabulous long-distance migrations covering thousands 

 of miles. A large bird about three feet long it is noted for its loud honks. 



