442 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



this bird is very excellent eating, and far superior to the Canada Goose in juiciness 

 and flavor. The young do not attain to the full plumage of the old bird before their 

 fourth year ; and until that period they keep in separate flocks. They are said to 

 liave been numerous at Fort Albany, in tlie southern portion of Hudson's Bay, where 

 tlie old birds were rarely seen ; and, on the other hand, the old birds in their migra- 

 tions visit York Factory in great nuiubers, but always unaccompanied by their young. 

 They appear in the spring a few days later than the Canada Geese, and pass in large 

 flocks both on the coast and through the interior. 



According to the observations of Mr. Baruston, this species — known among the 

 Indians as tlie U'evois or Wav'ies — is less conspicuous in the interior than some 

 other kinds of Geese. It seldom alights except along the margins of large lakes 

 and streams, and the grassy ponds of the prairies. Owing to its arrival in such great 

 numbers, it becomes the flrst object of sport in James Bay, and the havoc made 

 tliere is often very great. In the fall, when flocks of the young birds are passing 

 soutliward, it is no uncommon thing for a good shot to kill a hundred in a single day. 

 Tliis binl still forms the staple article of food for natives at the Albany Factory. 

 Tins is the last of the Geese to leave for the south, its migration taking place in the 

 latter part of September. 



These birds are deliberate and judicious, 5Ir. Baruston adds, in their preparations 

 for flight, anil make tlieir arrangements in a business-like manner. They cease to 

 feed in the marshes, keeping out with the retreating tide, and at its flow retiring step 

 by step, continually dressing their feathers witli tlieir fatty oil. They are then ready 

 for the flrst northerly wind which blows ; and in twenty-four hours tlie coast so lately 

 resonant with their incessant cries, and covered, patch-like, with their whitening 

 squadrons, is entirely deserted. 



lleiidiardt states that this species is known as a bird of Greenland by the occur- 

 rence there of a few stragglers only in immature plumage. It is not known to breed 

 in any part of that coast occupied by the Danish .settlements, and probably does not 

 breed in any jtart of the island. 



Captain Blakiston speaks of this Goose as being- late in its arrival in spring, and 

 as delaying liehind the others of its family in going south in the autumn. He found 

 it quite numerous both on Hudson's Bay and in the west, tracing it as far as the Kocky 

 Mountains. Mr. lio^s speaks of it as equally abundant on the Mackenzie. He was 

 informed hy Mr. Fruden, a fur-trader, that the father of the latter, living at the Bed 

 River Settlement, had domesticated a piair of these birds, one of which, after a time, 

 died. The next fall, as a flock of this species was passing over, one of them separated 

 itself from the others, descended, and took up its quarters with the tame Goose, 

 remaining there all winter. The following spring, however, it joined its brethren 

 as they came by, and jiroceeded north. In the fall it again returned, rejoining and 

 living with its mate of the former winter : this is said to have been repeated for 

 several years, 



Mr. Audubon's observations enabled liim to ascertain that this species regularly 

 visits the valley of the Mississippi in October, individuals appearing in the immature 

 plumage a fortnight or more before the adult birds arrive. As a general thing the 

 flocks of old and young kept apart and did not mingle. This Goose was especially 

 abundant in the gray plumage about the mouth of the Mississippi, as well as on all 

 the muddy or grassy shores of the bays and inlets of the Gulf of Mexico. During 

 the rainy seasons it aliounds among tlie large prairies of Louisiana, feeding on the 

 roots of plants. It is said to be more silent than any other s])ecies, rarely emitting 

 any cry except when ])ursued after being wounded. Dr. Baclmuin kept for several 



