GEESE. 355 



of every obstacle ; " getting over," to use the man's own 

 words, " the fences as well as I could myself." All this, it 

 should be observed, continued, not only without any encou- 

 ragement 011 the part of the farmer, but even in spite of every 

 discouragement on his part. How long it would have con- 

 tinued, or to what extent, we lament to add, he effectually 

 precluded the world from knowing ; for, with an unpardon- 

 able inattention to so truly a wonderful case, in addition to 

 equally unpardonable superstitious fear, he took it into his 

 head, that this mysterious affection of the poor Goose fore- 

 boded some evil ; and in a moment of alarm he killed the 

 faithful bird. 



Thus much for the attachment of the Goose to man ; and 

 many equally striking instances might be adduced of a 

 similar attachment to animals. The two following anecdotes 

 show the mutual affection which may exist between this bird 

 and the dog. 



A species of the armed, or Cambrian Goose, a native of 

 Africa, belonging to a person in Scotland, was observed for 

 some time to pay particular attention to a dog which was 

 chained up ; and what was singular, this dog had invariably 

 manifested a great dislike to poultry, never allowing them to 

 come within reach of his chain. But, in this case, he laid 

 aside all his former animosity, and received his new ac- 

 quaintance with every mark of affection. The Goose, finding 

 she had nothing to fear from her canine friend, would enter 

 his kennel, in the centre of which, among the straw, she 

 made her nest, and deposited her eggs, which was not known 

 till one of the family mentioned that the Goose slept in the 

 dog's bosom. The singularity of the circumstance led to an 

 examination of the box (but not without the greatest re- 

 luctance on the part of the dog, who appeared determined to 

 protect what was left to his care). On removing the straw, 

 five eggs were discovered in a fine bed of down and feathers. 

 The dog was in the habit of going into his box with the 

 greatest care, for fear of injuring the eggs.* 



* Phil Mag., vol. Ivi. 

 A A2 



