GENUS 97. ANAS. DUCK. 

 SPECIES 1. ANAS CANADENSIS. 



CANADA GOOSE. 

 [Plate LX VII. Fig. 4.] 



L'Oye sauvage de Canada, BRISS. vi, p. 272, 4, pi. 26. VOie a 

 cravate, BUFF, ix, p. 82. EWD. pi. 151. Jlrct. Zool. JVb.471. 

 CATESBY, r, pL 92. LATH. Syn. in, p. 450. PEALE'S Muse- 

 um, JVo. 2704.* 



THIS is the common Wild Goose of the United States, uni- 

 versally known over the whole country; whose regular perio- 

 dical migrations are the sure signals of returning spring, or ap- 

 proaching winter. The tracts of their vast migratory journies 

 are not confined to the seacoast or its vicinity. In their aerial 

 voyages to and from the north, these winged pilgrims pass 

 over the interior on both sides of the mountains, as far west, 

 at least, as the Osage river, and I have never yet visited any 

 quarter of the country where the inhabitants are not familiarly 

 acquainted with the regular passing and repassing of the Wild 

 Geese. The general opinion here is that they are on their way 

 to the lakes to breed; but the inhabitants on the confines of the 

 great lakes that separate us from Canada, are equally ignorant 

 with ourselves of the particular breeding places of those birds. 

 There their journey north is but commencing, and how far it 

 extends it is impossible for us at present to ascertain, from our 

 little acquaintance with these frozen regions. They were seen 

 by Hearne in large flocks within the arctic circle, and were then 

 pursuing their way still farther north. Captain Phipps speaks 



*Jnas Canadensis, GMEL. Sysl i, p. 514. PI. Enl. 346. Ind. Orn. p. 838, 

 No. \7. 



