THE AMERICAN WILD GOOSE. 241 



From each pair of geese, properly looked after, be- 

 tween six and nine goslings may fairly be calculated 

 upon ; which, killed in the autumn, when really plump, 

 would be very acceptable at home, or as presents to 

 unprejudiced persons. Managed thus, they would be 

 little, or, according to Audubon, not at all inferior to a 

 fatted cygnet. And their picturesque effect, as acces- 

 saries in landscape gardening, would surely be greater 

 in distinct uniformly-tinted groups, moving here and 

 there across the scene with a decided object, namely, 

 the conducting of their young, than as a motley crowd 

 of diversely-colored, variously-shaped creatures, huddled 

 together in unmeaning confusion. The woodland park 

 should be stocked on different principles to the aviary 

 and the menagerie. Thus it is, as a spot of pure white, 

 that the swan gives such a sparkling brilliancy to the 

 picture ; and the point of deepest shade, (an adjunct of 

 no less importance to the painter,) may be made more 

 intense and effective by the judicious employment of thfe 

 Canada goose. 



When a pair are received from a distance, the best 

 way of settling them in their new abode is to confine 

 them with hurdies and netting, as near as possible to 

 the spot where it is wished they should eventually 

 make their nest. Those from the hands of dealers will 

 generally be cowed or timidly tame ; but young birds 

 fresh taken from their parents, or adult ones that have 

 been removed from their old home to a new one, will 

 sulk and be shy. For the first few hours, they need 

 have nothing to eat, only plenty of water to drink. 

 Their keeper should show himself to them, aftd speak to 

 them kindly, as often as his leisure will permit ; when he 

 guesses that they begin to feel the cravings of hunger, a 

 small handful of grain may be thrown down to them, a 

 cabbage on two, and half a dozen earth worms. It is, of 

 course, supposed that they have been located on the 

 grass. It is likely that, at first, they will not eat in the 

 presence of a stranger ; they may be left for an hour or 

 so when, if they have availed themselves of his absence, 

 he may give them a little more from time to time. Pro- 

 ceeding thus by kindness, familiarity, and very frequent 

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