SNOVV GOOSE. 211 



and its continuation, Nelson's River, flow, and on the 

 low shores of the southern parts of Hudson's Bay, is 

 more considerable, and is terminated by the freezing of 

 the marshes. This period forms the principal goose- 

 hunt of the Cree Indians, who are the only natives who 

 frequent these swampy districts. In the barren grounds, 

 on the other hand, frequented by the northern Indians, 

 or Chepewyans, the spring goose-hunt is the most pro- 

 ductive. 



The only geese seen in any great numbers in the 

 interior of the country, are the Canada goose (Anser 

 Canadensis), the laughing goose {Anser albifrons), and 

 the snow goose {Anser Hyperhoreus). The different 

 notes of these three species are well imitated by the In- 

 dians ; who thus are very successful, during the spring 

 migration, in bringiwg them within gunshot. In the 

 autumn, the geese do not so readily answer the call ; 

 and it is necessary that the sportsman should conceal 

 himself, and use some dead birds as a decoy. 



Dr. Richardson further observes, that this speeies 

 breeds in great numbers in those dreary tracts of Arctic 

 America, called the Barren Grounds. The eggs are of 

 a yellowish white colour, and of a regularly oval form, 

 about three inches long, and two broad. The young are 

 able to fly about the end of August ; and, about two or 

 three weeks afterwards, the parent birds and their broods 

 migrate to the south. It is supposed that the young do 

 not attain their full or adult plumage until the fourth 

 year, and before which they appear to keep in dis- 

 tinct flocks by themselves : such flocks are numerous 

 at Albany Fort, in the southern part of Hudson's Bay, 

 where the old birds are rarely seen ; while, on the other 

 hand, the old birds visit York Factory, during their mi- 

 gration, in great abundance, but are seldom accom- 

 panied by the younger birds. Their food is rushes and 

 insects ; and in the autumn they devour berries. 



All Avriters, before Wilson, had described the young 

 of this species as perfectly distinct, under the name of 

 the Blue-winged Goose, accurately figured by Edwards, 



