CANADA GOOSE. 813 



unequal numbers) a single Indian will kill two liundrecl. Not- 

 withstanding every sort of Goose Las a different call, yet the 

 Indians are admirable in their imitation of every one." 



The Geese, on their return to the North, pass through the 

 Eastern States in the months of April and May, early or late, 

 according to the state of the Aveather. AVhen in our waters 

 they feed on the leaves, blades, and berries of different marine 

 plants, and the roots of the sedge which grows so abundantly 

 on the salt marshes. Their flight is heavy and laborious, and 

 in the form of a triangle, the flock being led by an Okl Gander. 

 When wounded, they swim and dive with great fi^cility, going 

 long distances under the water. When taken alive they are 

 easily domesticated, and will breed readily with the tame Goose. 

 It is a very common circumstance to see flocks of these Geese 

 entirely domesticated in the neighborhood of the waters that 

 they frequented in their original state of freedom. Although 

 they may have become quite tame, and perhaps have reared a 

 brood or two, they are all apt to exhibit symptoms of uneasi-' 

 ness as the period for migration approaches, and will some- 

 times fly off with the Avild ones that they hear honhlng over- 

 head. The Canadian Goose is domesticated in England and 

 France, and is considered superior to the common Gi'ay Goose. 



Many plans are resorted to by the Shooters on our coast to 

 decoy these wary Fowl within gunshot, and none more success- 

 ful than that of imitating their honkings^ which most of them 

 can do to perfection. 



Domestic Geese are also used to Decoy the wild ones flying 

 overhead; and they not unfrequently entice them from great 

 heights in the air to alight among them, supposing them to be 

 some of their own companions feeding in safety below. 



They are also shot at night on the ponds and marshes where 

 they go to feed. ' 



Numbers are shot over Decoys from the sand-flats, or points 

 upon which are sunk boxes, in which the Shooter conceals him- 

 self. When only wounded they are difiicult to capture," as they 

 swim and dive well, and also possess the power of sinking their 

 bodies in the water with the bill only projecting above the sur- 

 face, and Avill continue in this position for some time. 



Wild Geese, when migrating South, sometimes lose their 



