FEBRUARY. 



THE WILD GOOSE. 



BY GEORGE LINDESAY. 



IN consequence of its size and the comparative infrequency of its 

 occurrence, the Wild Swan is doubtless looked upon by the wild 

 fowler as the most valuable prize he can secure, but the Wild 

 Goose is not only a more difficult bird to get at, he is also, when 

 in condition, an excellent addition to the table, which is more than 

 can be said of the swan. It would be hard to name a bird more 

 thoroughly able to take care of itself, and whose senses of hearing, 

 seeing and smelling are more acute than the Wild Goose. 



Unless at night, in a gale of wind, or in very thick weather, they 

 fly at a height quite beyond the range of an ordinary gun. Before 

 settling down, whether it be on land or water, they invariably 

 inspect the neighbourhood for any sign of an enemy, and when 

 they finally conclude that all is right, a sentinel is at once told off 

 for duty, who, while his companions are feeding, keeps a remark- 

 ably sharp look out in all directions. This bird can communicate 

 an alarm silently as well as in noisy fashion, the cessation of the 

 continuous low chuckle which he keeps up while on the watch 

 being sufficient to cause the rest to leave off feeding at once. 

 After a certain time another bird relieves the sentinel, who then 



G 



