84 GEESE 



FIELD MARKS 



ON THE WATER. Whether sitting on the water or grazing on land, these 

 brownish-grey geese, with the long black necks of 

 the sentinels held straight upright, are instantly 

 recognized. The white cheek-patches and the clearly 

 defined base of the black "stocking" are character- 

 istic and are readily noticed. They swim gracefully 

 after the manner of swans and can make rapid 

 progress if necessary. (The differences in size and 

 coloration of the five varieties of Canada Geese 

 are outlined under the heading "Specimen Identi- 

 fication" above.) 

 IN FLIGHT. The large, greyish bodies with the long black necks outstretched 



in a slight downward curve are unmistakable. On their feeding grounds, or or 



short flights, they fly in compact or irregular bunches, 



with an apparently laboured flight. On migrations 



they fly in the well-known V-shaped flocks or 



sometimes in a long, single, sloping line, or more 



rarely in Indian file. In rising from the water 



they run along for a few steps before clearing, 



but if suddenly surprised and in full plumage, they 



spring clear with a single bound. When about to 



alight, they set their wings, glide down to the water 



and drop in with a splash. 



VOICE. A loud resonant honk, honk (or ong, 



ong), uttered in flight and on the water, and a 



number of chatty intimate cries when feeding. When 



feeding quietly an individual will occasionally emit a long drawn-out-cry honk, 



honk, h-o-n-k, honk, ong, uf. 



LIFE STORY 



Sagacity, wariness, strength, and fidelity are characteristics of the 

 Canada Goose which, collectively, are possessed in the same degree by no 

 other bird. The Canada in many respects may serve as a model for man. 



This grandest of all waterfowl cannot be more fittingly introduced 

 than in the words of Bent (1925): "The common wild goose is the most 

 widely distributed and the most generally well-known ot anv of our wild 

 fowl. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf of Mexico near- 

 ly to the Arctic coast, it may be seen at some season of the year, and 

 when once seen its grandeur creates an impression on the mind which 

 even the casual observer never forgets. As the clarion notes float down- 

 ward on the still night air, who can resist the temptation to rush out of 

 doors and peer into the darkness for a possible glimpse at the passing 

 flock, as the shadowy forms glide over our roofs on their long journey? 

 Or, even in daylight, what man so busy that he will not pause and look 

 upward at the serried ranks of our grandest wild fowl, as their well- 

 known honking notes announce their coming and their going, he knows 

 not whence or whither? It is an impressive sight well worthy of his gaze; 

 perhaps he will even stop to count the birds in the two long converging 



