COMMON CANADA GOOSE 87 



suited to the case than taking flight. To avoid detection they will lie flat 

 with long necks outstretched and without the slightest movement. This 

 they do while on their nests, on gravelly beaches where they look like 

 pieces of driftwood, among boulders, on sandbars, and in the grass. On 

 the water the inert, gently rocked body with head resting on the surface 

 looks not at all like a bird; on the ice in this pose they are most incon- 

 spicuous. When hiding in this manner they provide excellent examples 

 of protective coloration. Before breaking the pose they wait until the 

 enemy has retired to a considerable distance. Then, gradually, one by 

 one, the heads are cautiously raised until the birds are finally satisfied. 

 If on land, they stand up and sneak off into any available cover to make 

 doubly sure of their safety. 



Contrary to the habit of ducks which seek new spouses each year, 

 the Canada Goose mates for life; should either partner die or be killed 

 the survivor, it is said, never pairs again. (No verification of this state- 

 ment has been found by the author in his researcher nor, to his knowl- 

 edge, has it been disproved). The courtship is described graphically by 

 Audubon (1840) as follows: "It is extremely amusing to witness the 

 courtship of the Canada Goose in all its stages; and let me assure you, 

 reader, that although a gander does not strut before his beloved with the 

 pomposity of a turkey, or the grace of a dove, his ways are quite as 

 agreeable to the female of his choice. I can imagine before me one who 

 has just accomplished the defeat of another male after a struggle of half 

 an hour or more. He advances gallantly toward the object of con- 

 tention, his head scarcely raised an inch from the ground, his bill open 

 to its full stretch, his fleshy tongue elevated, his eyes darting fiery 

 glances, and as he moves he hisses loudly, while the emotion which he 

 experiences causes his quills to shake and his feathers to rustle. Now 

 he is close to her who in his eyes is all loveliness; his neck bending grace- 

 fully in all directions, passes all around her, and occasionally touches her 

 body; and as she congratulates him on his victory, and acknowledges his 

 affection, they move their necks in a hundred curious ways. At this 

 moment fierce jealousy urges the defeated gander to renew his efforts to 

 obtain his love; he advances apace, his eye glowing with the fire of rage; 

 he shakes his broad wings, ruffles up his whole plumage, and as he rushes 

 on the foe, hisses with the intensity of anger. The whole flock seems to 

 stand amazed, and opening up a space, the birds gather round to view 

 the combat. The bold bird who has been caressing his mate scarcely 

 deigns to take notice of his foe, but seems to send a scornful glance 

 toward him. He of the mortified feelings, however, raises his body half 

 opens his sinewy wings, and with a powerful blow, sends forth his de- 

 fiance. The affront cannot be borne in the presence of so large a com- 

 pany, nor indeed is there much disposition to bear it in any circum- 

 stances; the blow is returned with vigor, the aggressor reels for a 

 moment, but he soon recovers, and now the combat rages. Were the 

 weapons more deadly, feats of chivalry would now be performed; as it is, 



