OTHER WILD GEESE 155 



within range and then shoot quickly and well for- 

 ward, 



I was once shooting geese and ducks in the West 

 and had a soldier from the garrison who assisted in 

 carrying the game, when two geese came flapping 

 along and did not appear to be going fast. I saw them 

 when they were some distance off, and was ready for 

 them when they came within range, and expected fully 

 to make a nice double. Aiming but a short distance 

 ahead, I fired two shots in quick succession, but was 

 not rewarded with a feather. The geese kept on their 

 course, honking a farewell, and in about a minute had 

 crossed a wide lake which was spread out behind me. 

 I was aware that I had shot behind them both, and as 

 they quickly disappeared from view realized how fast 

 they were going. There is no bird whose flight is 

 more deceptive. They are always going much faster 

 than they seem to be. 



