414 HISTORY OF 



CHAPTER XL 



OF THE GOOSE, AND ITS VARIETIES. 



THE Goose, in its domestic state, exhibits a variety 

 of colours. The wild goose always retains the 

 same marks : the whole upper part is ash-colour- 

 ed ; the breast and belly are of a dirty white j 

 the bill is narrow at the base, and at the tip it is 

 black ; the legs are of a saffron colour, and the 

 claws black. These marks are seldom found in 

 the tame, whose bill is entirely red, and whose 

 legs are entirely brown. The wild goose is rather 

 less than the tame ; but both invariably retain a 

 white ring round their tail, which shows that they 

 are both descended from the same original. 



The wild goose is supposed to breed in the 

 northern parts of Europe, and in the beginning 

 of winter to descend into more temperate regions. 

 They are often seen flying at very great heights, 

 in flocks from fifty to a hundred, and seldom rest- 

 ing by day. Their cry is frequently heard when 

 they are at an imperceptible distance above us ; 

 and this seems bandied from one to the other, as 

 among hounds in the pursuit. Whether this be 

 the note of mutual encouragement, or the neces- 

 sary consequence of respiration, is doubtful ; but 

 they seldom exert it when they alight in these 

 journeys. 



Upon their coming to the ground by day, they 

 range themselves in a line, like cranes ; and seem 



