Geese, Wild 



Geese sometimes fly in a straight line; but more fre- 

 quently make a triangular figure, that permits each one 

 .... to see its leader. Some naturalists say that 

 geese fly to a greater height than any other bird; others 

 say they are surpassed by herons. They are often, how- 

 ever, at so great height that they may be heard, when 

 nothing more of them than a black line can be seen. 



FLAGG. A Year With the Birds. 25 



I suspect it will be found there is really some advantage 

 in large birds of passage flying in the wedge form and 

 cleaving their way through the air, that they really do 

 overcome its resistance best in this way, and perchance 

 the direction and strength of the wind determine the 

 comparative length of the two sides. 



THOREAU. Spring. 12 



Far and high the wild geese cry, 



"Spring! It is spring!" CELIA THAXTER. 



Cloud-clearing geese to the lakes are a-steering. 



SELECTED. 



GOLDFINCH. WILD CANARY. THISTLE-BIRD 



As pretty a sight as any garden offers is when a family 

 of goldfinches alights on the top of a sunflower to feast 

 upon the oily seeds a perfect harmony of brown and 

 gold. 



NELTJE BLANCHAN. Bird Neighbors. 23 



70 



