204 THE GOOSE. 



Every spring and fall, therefore, preparations are 

 made for their destruction in a systematic manner. 

 A line of huts is built for this purpose, extending east 

 arid west, and placed within gun-shot of each other. 

 In each of these huts a man is stationed, having with 

 him two or three loaded guns. When the geese fly 

 over this place, these men imitate their notes so ex- 

 actly that the flock will answer, and at the same time 

 wheel around, in order to discover their companion, 

 and alight with him. When they come within gun- 

 shot, these sportsmen discharge first one gun, and then 

 another, and continue the fire at them, until they are 

 out of reach. In this way, great numbers are destroy- 

 ed, so that at this single place, it is said in some sea- 

 sons, they kill three or four thousand. In the spring 

 they are salted, and packed away for the summer's 

 use, and in the fall they are frozen and kept fresh for 

 the winter's consumption. Their feathers from this 

 place, are an article of commerce, and are sent to 

 England for sale. 



The disposition to destroy these poor birds on ac- 

 count of their flesh, seems to be much the same every 

 where as at Hudson's Bay, though the system of car-, 

 nage is no where else so regularly carried on. When 

 they are obliged to light on account of the fog,,pr 

 when their flight is irregular, and near the earth, be- 

 cause they have lost their leader, they always appear 

 in great distress, probably knowing from experience, 

 their danger in going near the habitations of men. 

 But instead of shewing compassion fcr their sufferings, 

 and permitting the poor bewildered strangers to de- 

 scend and rest ,on the earth in peace and safety, the 



