74 ] Birds of Farm and Zoo 



may be found from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, and from 

 the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic. 



In the northern part of its range, when the days grow shorter 

 and a hint of frost warns that winter is approaching, the leaders of 

 the flocks spur their followers to action. These leaders are usually 

 old ganders that have trekked down the continent and back many 

 times. 



The birds soar skyward. High above the ground they form two 

 lines which join to form a large V, with the lead-gander at the 

 forward point. His strength enables him to make the initial break 

 in the air mass. He starts off with spirited honks and is frequently 

 answered by the birds behind him as if by way of assurance that 

 "all's well!" 



As a rule, migrating geese rest at night. As sundown approaches, 

 the leader looks for a suitable lake and glides down to it in a long 

 incline, followed by the flock. However, if no safe landing place 

 is found, a flock of Canada geese may stay in the air for more than 

 twenty-four hours. It has been calculated that they sometimes fly 

 a thousand miles without a stop! 



THE GRACEFUL SWANS 



The swan belongs to the bird family that includes the duck 

 and the goose. Swans also favor the V formation in which migrating 

 flocks travel. Both the male and the female swan are noted for their 

 lovely white plumage and their tranquil grace in the water. 



In olden times the striking beauty of the swan was a favorite 

 theme of many myths, legends, and fairly tales, and to this day 

 every child is familiar with the classic story of the Ugly Duckling. 

 Anyone who has ever seen a swan can understand its hold on the 

 imagination of noted composers and masters of the ballet. The 

 famous ballerina Pavlova, who scored her greatest successes in a 

 composition called The Swan, was very fond of swans and kept 

 them as pets for many years. 



PIGEONS 



Their Courtship Antics: While watching pigeons, you have prob- 

 ably wondered at their occasionally odd antics. Sometimes you 



