28 BEYOND THE PASTURE BARS 



Housekeeping for the geese is a particularly 

 serious business. The gander takes his full share 

 of the trouble. He never shirks nor leaves his 

 mate. Day and night he stands on duty, guard- 

 ing the mother and the nest with his life if need 

 be against all enemies. He even helps hatch 

 the eggs, which is being faithful indeed. 



The nest is a collection of driftweed and sticks 

 lined with down, and placed, usually, on the 

 ground in a marsh or meadow. Occasionally it 

 is upon a stump, or even up in some old fish- 

 hawk's nest on the top of a tree. 



As soon as the goslings hatch they take to the 

 water, and then life for goose and gander grows 

 tangled fast with trouble. 



I once watched a pair of geese in captivity, as 

 they were led about by their one small gosling 

 their only one left out of a brood of seven. From 

 sunrise to nightfall their anxious day was spent 

 trying to keep up with Master Gosling. He went 

 whither he would ; and they side by side waddled 

 along behind, cautioning, chiding and complain- 

 ing. So hurried were they that there was no time 

 to snatch a blade of grass or a billful of water, as 

 the troublesome infant straddled up and down his 

 backyard world. 



