ANATID^E. 221 



THE CANADA GOOSE. Anser Canadensis. This species 

 is a native of the Arctic regions of North America, whence 

 in the autumn vast flocks wing their way southwards, spread- 

 ing over Canada and the United States, and returning in 

 diminished numbers in the spring to breed. " The English 

 residents at Hudson's Bay depend greatly on the supply of 

 Canada Geese for their winter provision ; and it is stated 

 that in favourable years as many as three or four thousand 

 have been killed and barrelled up ; a single native, from the 

 ambush of his bough hut, will sometimes kill two hundred 

 in a day." Different parts of the North American conti- 

 nent are mentioned by Mr. Audubon as situations in which 

 they breed; "and in Labrador," he adds, "these birds breed 

 in every suitable marshy plain." The nest is placed in 

 some retired spot near the water, and generally among the 

 rankest grass ; it is large and flat, formed carefully of dry 

 plants of various kinds,, -and raised to the height of several 

 inches. The eggs are from six to nine in number, the 

 former being the more usual number. Occasionally these 

 birds are said to breed in trees, in the deserted nests of Ea- 

 vens or Pishing Eagles. 



THE EGYPTIAN GOOSE. Ckenalopex Egyptiaca. This 

 species is reported to abound along the banks of the Nile, 



