366 THE BERNACLE GOOSE. 



journey with alacrity. Their flight is conducted with vast regu- 

 larity : they always proceed either in a line a-breast, or in two 

 lines joining in an angle at the middle. In this order they gene- 

 rally take the lead by turns ; the foremost falling back in the rear 

 when tired, and the next in station succeeding to his duty. 

 Their track is generally so high, that it is almost impossible to 

 reach them with a fowling-piece ; and even when this can be 

 done, they file so equally that one discharge very seldom kilts 

 more than a single bird. 



They breed in the plains and marshes about Hudson's Bay in 

 North America : in some years the young ones are taken in 

 considerable numbers ; and at this age they are easily tamed. 

 It is, however, extremely singular, that they will never learn to 

 cat corn, unless some of the old ones are taken along with them ; 

 which may be done when these are in a moulting state. 



Our common tame goose is nothing more than this species in 

 a state of domestication. 



THE BERNACLE GOOSE. 



The bill of this bird is very short and black, crossed with a 

 flesh-coloured mark on each side. Part of the head, the chin, 

 throat, under- parts, and upper tail- coverts, are white ; and the 

 rest of the head and neck, and the beginning of the back, are 

 black. The thighs are mottled. Round the knee, the feathers 

 are black ; and the lower feathers of the back are the same, edged 

 with white. The wing-coverts and scapulars are blue- grey ;; 



