

na run a l his Ton r. 



are Ear less clumsy while wandering about on the ground. Only a few of 

 the many forms can be menti6ned. 



■ 



First comes the gray lag-goose of northern Europe, which is important 

 as furnishing all our domesticated geese. Closely related to it is the 

 American snow-goose which is dispersed all over our territory, though rare 

 in the eastern states. Like its relatives of the poultry-yards it lives upon 

 grass, at least when in the United States. It wanders through the fields, 

 turning its head to the one side or the other, grasping a mouthful and 

 tearing it ofi with a quick jerk of the neck. Its breeding-place is far to 

 the north in the British possessions. It leaves for the north early in the 

 spring, and returns late in the fall. 



Better known, or at least more familiar, is the common wild goose, — 

 the Canada goose of the books. In the early spring, or late in the fall, 

 their familiar 'honk' is heard; and on looking up one sees the flock 

 passing north or south. It flies in a Y-shaped body, an old gander at 



the apex, while on 

 either limb are a 

 varying number of 

 birds, all winging 

 their wavin a heavv. 



t/ t/ 7 



laborious manner. 



Now one will cross 

 from one side to the 

 other of the flock, 

 but why no one 

 knows. Again the 

 leader sounds his 

 note, and a re- 

 sponsive series of 

 k honks ' comes from 

 the rest. When the 

 weather.is fair, their 

 course is straight, 

 and their elevation 

 is not great : but 

 they continue for long distances, alighting occasionally to rest on the 

 waters of some secluded pond. When the weather is foggy, they are all 

 mixed up. The oft-extolled -instinct' fails them: and they know not 

 which way to turn. 



The haiii.tcl.--i.,!-.,. of Europe has been found hut two or three times 

 in the I niteil States. It is particularly interesting from the fact that it is 



Fig. •^. — Common wild goose i Branta canadi nsis). 





