CANADA GOOSE-SHOOTING. 279 



And doubtless, by delving into the past long be- 

 fore the days of Noah, we would learn that at the time 

 Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the 

 Garden of Eden, these honkers, nameless at this time, 

 dressed in gala-day suits of lead-color, black and white, 

 waddled up to Adam and from him received their 

 names names by which they were always to be known ; 

 and, after being duly classified by him, departed for the 

 first time on their annual migrations toward the ex- 

 treme northern countries, a habit they have ever since 

 been addicted to, and which all subsequent generations 

 of geese have inherited. 



Their breeding-place is in the far North ; so far in- 

 deed, that they go beyond the possibility of pursuit by 

 human foes. When the winter months have faded 

 away, and the uncertainty of the season is apparent, at 

 a time when our minds are in doubt as to whether or 

 not spring has come, they begin their annual migra- 

 tions, and rising to a height of from one to three hun- 

 dred yards, set out on their apparently endless journey. 

 The pedestrian in the Southern States hears their fa- 

 miliar honk, looks up to wards the sky, and sees them, 

 led by an old gander, in a triangular shaped flock, 

 headed for the North. In the Middle States, their wel- 

 come cries in mid-air are heard, their well-known forms 

 are seen, and they bring pleasant recollections of warm 

 rains, gentle winds and budding flowers. At our feet 

 .we see the snow fast melting into the mould, running 

 trickling along on its course to the sea. And these 

 geese, sure precursors of approaching spring, the vernal 

 season we all like so well, receive from us a cordial nod 

 of welcome, as we gaze with upturned faces and watch 

 them as they disappear in the dim distance. 



