CANADA GOOSE. 183 



feather bed. Having laid her eggs, generally six, she sits 

 with most exemplary patience, and, notwithstanding the 

 proximity of the water, which offers a great temptation, 

 it is rare to find her off her nest. During the period of 

 incubation the male is, through the greater part of the 

 day, sailing in measured time and slow over the water, 

 never approaching his mate very near, nor straying very 

 far. On the approach of any intruder he displays great 

 uneasiness, and his tranquillity does not return till the 

 danger is over. Shortly after the goslings have extricated 

 themselves from their brittle covering, they are conducted 

 to the water by the female, when they are joined by the 

 male, who brings up the rear. The little family remain 

 together till the return of the flock, when all mix pro- 

 miscuously, recruit themselves for a few days, and then 

 depart. A pinioned female was joined by a male. When 

 they were approached, the male did not fly away until he 

 was pursued so closely as to be in danger of being caught ; 

 he remained with his mate as long as was consistent with 

 his liberty ; when that was in danger, and not till then, 

 he deserted the female. Several of the wild goslings were 

 obtained in the season of 1832, two of them passed into 

 the hands of a neighbouring farmer, in whose possession 

 they have remained ever since. They associate with his 

 domesticated Grey-lag Geese, and are very peaceable. 1 '* 

 Montagu had observed that the Canada Goose will breed 

 with the common species, and it has bred also with the 

 Knobbed Goose, and the Bernicle Goose. Bewick says 

 " great numbers of these Canadian Geese were driven from 

 their haunts during the severe snow storms of January 

 and February, 1814 ; they were taken upon the sea-shore, 

 near Hartlepool, and divided among the farmers in the 

 neighbourhood, no pains having been taken to keep the 

 breed pure." 



