CHAP. XII.] FARMING FOR LADIES, 263 



threw them bread, and returning at the usual 

 hour in the evening. Though also accused 

 of dirty habits, because they grope for food in 

 any pond or ditch to which they may have 

 access, yet no bird is more careful of its 

 plumage, or fonder of a clean and dry bed. 

 They are very capable of attachment to those 

 who treat them with kindness ; extremely 

 quiet in their habits, and peaceable towards 

 all the other poultry, but courageous in defence 

 of their young, and the hiss of the gander in 

 their protection is full of menace. When 

 riding some time ago, rather sharply, across a 

 common, our mare unheedingly trod upon a 

 gosling ; when instantaneously both goose and 

 gander flew upon her with such violence that 

 it was difficult to either restrain her from 

 running away, or to beat them off; and for a 

 long time afterwards the mare, upon seeing 

 a flock of geese, snorted and started off" with 

 afiright. Nor should we — 



" Rob Rome's ancient geese of all their glories," 



by forgetfulness of their use as watchful 

 nightly guards to a lonesome country-dwelling. 



