462 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



Geese, some remaining to breed about Klamatli Lake, and others in the Cascade 

 Range, if not fartlier soutli. 



Mr. Eidgway mentions it as breeding in the interior, about all the large lakes of 

 the Great Basin. Its young were caught in ^May at Pyramid Lake, and the old birds 

 were shot there. It is resident in the Truekee meadows, specimens having been 

 procured there in November ; but it was not so abundant there at that time as B. 

 Ilatchinsi was. Mr. J. A. Allen found it already present in great numbers in the 

 valley of Great Salt Lake. 



Dr. Cooper states that he noticed a large number of this species breeding along 

 the Missouri, where every day he met with broods, from Fort Leavenworth ujj to 

 Fort Benton. They were said to lay in nests, on trees, probably the deserted nests 

 of some other large bird. He also saw two at Spokane Eiver, in Washington Terri- 

 tory, Septemher 25, which had passed the summer there. 



Many interesting and striking evidences of the sagacity of this liird are narrated, 

 having reference to the manner in which its migrations are managed, and its safety 

 provided for on its feeding-grounds. 



In the migrations of these Geese, families assemble in flocks, and many of them 

 unite in forming a vast column, each band having its chosen leader. They generally 

 continue flying during the night, Init occasionally alight and await the day. Before 

 doing so the pioneers survey the ground below, and select a spot favorable for food 

 and safety. Sentinels are appointed from among the Ganders to sound the alarm, 

 should an enemy appear. Mr. Giraud states that he has seen these Geese adopt the 

 same precautions when in large flocks in the daytime. The sentinels separate from 

 the main body, move about with heads erect, ready to detect the first indications of 

 intruders. After an interval these oiitposts would return to the main body, their 

 places being immediately supjilied by others. 



The hoarse honk of the Gander is a cry so familiar to the inhabitants, that it is 

 impossible for the birds to arrive without their visits becoming known. The practised 

 bay-hunter watches their flight, discovers their favorite sanding-place, and, on gaining 

 the desired point, puts out his decoys, sinks a box in the sand, and there conceals 

 himself ; and as the Geese approach he carefully prepares for their reception. When 

 wounded this bird is able to sink itself in the water, leaving only its bill above the 

 surface, and can remain in that situation for a considerable time. During storms it 

 flies low ; and also when the weather is very foggy it becomes confused, and alights 

 on the ground. Wild Geese remain on Long Island in the fall until the bays are 

 frozen, and return on the disappearance of the ice in the spring ; but at that season 

 their stay is short. Early in April they collect in large flocks, and move off almost 

 simultaneously. Their food consists of sedge roots, marine plants, berries, and herb- 

 age of various kinds. In the winter they are common on the lakes in the neighbor- 

 hood of the Lower Mississippi. There — as Mr. Giraud was informed — a few 

 stragglers are wont to remain all summer. The Wild Geese are said to arrive in the 

 waters of Chesapeake Bay about the last of October, when they immediately dis- 

 tribute themselves over the entire bay, rarely leaving its shores for the smaller 

 streams, although often retiring to the smaller inlets to roost, or to feed, at night. 



According to Mr. Lewis this bird sometimes makes its first appearance in the 

 Delaware and in the Chesapeake in October, this early arrival being considered a 

 certain prognostic of a long and liard winter. On return of the Wild Goose to the 

 north it passes through the Eastern States in April — earlier or later, according to the 

 weather. When in the southern waters it feeds on the leaves, blades, and seeds of 

 maritime plants, and the roots of sedges. 



