114 GRET-LAG GOOSE. 



it moves on at a considerable rate in proportion to its 

 bulk. When the bird flies to a short distance only, it does 

 not mount above thirty or forty yards from the ground, but 

 when migrating, or leaving the neighbourhood, it flies at a 

 great height, and when in companies they proceed in a 

 manner well known to all observers, being headed by one 

 individual, and forming the letter -s^. It is remarkable that 

 when a pair of Wild-Geese, during the breeding-season, fly 

 to or from their feeding-ground, the female generally flies 

 before the male/ They also proceed at times in a straight 

 line, nearly abreast, the post of leader being relieved from 

 time to time, the foremost then retiring to the rear. 



In a letter to me from the Bev. D. Knight, of Earl's Barton, 

 near Northampton, dated February 22nd., 1853, he writes, 

 'Tradition says, that Mr. Richard Cradock, a miller, who 

 died in 1784, shot twenty-seven Wild-Geese and a sheep at 

 one shot; another account says nineteen geese; another 

 twelve; but all agree in adding the sheep. The granddaughter 

 .now lives at the mill near which the redoubtable shot took 

 place; she also says that the number was nineteen, and an 

 aged yeoman, who gave the highest number, says that he 

 has often heard his father speak of it, and that, at the same 

 time, Mr. Cradock blew a foot off the gun which he used. 

 The gun still hangs up at the mill; it measures seven feet 

 nine inches, and weighs somewhere towards twenty pounds.' 

 It is universally believed that the Goose lives to a great 

 age, and particular instances are recorded by ornithologists 

 which confirm the fact; some are mentioned which have been 

 kept seventy years; and Willughby notices one which lived 

 eighty years. In the 'Morning Chronicle' of April 16th., 

 1835, there is- published a biography of 'Tom the Gander,' 

 that had lived thirty-seven years, nine months, and six days. 

 The following anecdotes will be found interesting: 



'Thus much,' says Bishop Stanley, 'for the attention due 

 to the Goose for its pecuniary worth; but beyond this, it has 

 qualities, we might almost say, of the mind, of a very singular 

 character; we mean the unaccountable constancy and affection 

 which it has been known to shew, not only to its own species 

 and to other birds and animals, but more particularly to man ; 

 and it is not improbable that these qualities, which, as we 

 shall soon shew, were known to the ancients, might have 

 rendered it an 'object of high esteem, and in some cases sacred; 

 as for instance, it was to Juno, the queen of their idol gods. 



