416 THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. 



elated, the goose laid a full complement of eggs, and sat on 

 them even beyond the usual time, the gander keeping com- 

 pany at her side during the interesting period ; but unfortu- 

 nately, no issue appeared. On a subsequent year, the goose 

 sat closely on an empty nest in the bog, her partner never 

 leaving the immediate vicinity, and guarding her most 

 courageously. To test his courage a person once lifted the 

 goose off the nest, and threw her into the water, when her 

 brave and faithful partner instantly advanced, making a loud 

 hissing noise, and flying to the offender, struck him with his 

 feet and wings with all his might. During the last summer 

 (1849) the goose laid a few eggs, but was too much dis- 

 turbed by dogs to incubate them long. 



" To the calls of his wild brethren passing overhead, the 

 gander habitually replied, and in one instance it was feared 

 he had bade adieu to the place, as he took wing and joined a 

 flock high in the air; but, after holding a little converse 

 with them, he returned like a true lover to his mate. This 

 gander, perhaps in right of a higher descent than his asso- 

 ciates who merely * walk the earth/ at once, when put with 

 the common geese, took the 'lead of the herd, sometimes 

 numbering fifty or more, always heading them, and keeping 

 about two yards in advance. None of the tame ganders 

 had ever the inclination to dispute the chieftainship with him, 

 and he proved a trustworthy guardian ; as when his associates 

 made an occasional sally into a corn-field, he took his station 

 on the fence, and sounded an alarm when the enemy was 

 seen approaching." 



The White-fronted Goose (Bids- Gas, or White-fronted 

 Goose, Sw. ; A. albifrons, Steph.). During spring and fall 

 this bird was pretty common, as well in the vicinity of 



