The Canada Goose. 565 



regards food — some think more so. As the rich and somewhat gross character of the flesh of 

 geese is an objection to many persons, the Canada Goose may be recommended to all such as well 

 worth a trial. 



If the wide distribution of the Grey-lag and Bean Goose is remarkable, that of the Canada 

 Goose is almost equally so. It has often been shot in Britain, proving its powers of flight to be 

 very great. In Cambridgeshire large flocks have been seen ; and in the more northern parts of 

 England small colonies have been known to settle and to breed. In sagacity and courage the 

 gander appears to surpass the common goose, though even this bird is the very opposite in 

 character to the reputation it popularly bears, being pre-eminent among the poultry tribes for 

 both intelligence, and faithful courage in defending his family. Audubon gives various instances 

 of similar qualities in the Canada Goose. " I knew a male," he saj's, "that appeared larger than 

 usual, and of which all the lower parts were of a rich cream-colour. It returned three years in 

 succession to a large pond a few miles from the mouth of the Green River, in Kentucky, and 

 whenever I visited the nest it seemed to look upon me with utter contempt. It would stand 

 in a stately attitude until it reached within a few yards of the nest, when, suddenly lowering 

 its head and shaking ,it, as if it were dislocated from the neck, it would open its wings and launch 

 into the air, flying directly at me. So daring was this fine fellow, that in two instances he struck 

 me a blow with one of his wings on the right arm, which for an instant I thought was broken. I 

 observed that immediately after such an eftort to defend his nest and mate, he would run swiftly 

 towards them, pass his head and neck several times over and around the female, and again assume 

 his attitude of defiance. Should danger be imminent, the brave gander urges his mate to fly off, 

 and resolutely remains near the nest till he is assured of her safety, when he betakes himself to 

 flight, mocking as it were by his notes his disappointed enemy." 



As an instance of the creature's sagacity take the following, also from Audubon : — " They are 

 able to distinguish the different sounds or footsteps of their foes with astonishing accuracy. Thus, 

 the breaking of a stick by a deer is distinguished from the same accident occasioned by a man. 

 If a dozen large turtles drop into the water, making a great noise in their fall, or if the same effect 

 has been produced by an alligator, the wild [Canada] goose pays no regard to it ; but however 

 faint and distant may be the sound of an Indian's paddle that may by accident have struck the 

 side of his canoe, it is at once marked ; every individual raises its head, and looks intently towards 

 the place from which the noise has proceeded ; and in silence all watch the movements of their 

 enemy. I was much surprised one day, while on the coast of Labrador, to see how cunningly one 

 of these birds, which in consequence of the moult was quite unable to fly, managed for awhile to 

 elude our pursuit. It was -first perceived at some distance from the shore, when the boat was 

 rowed towards it, and it swam before us with great speed, making directly towards the land ; but 

 when we came within a few yards of it, it dived, and nothing could be seen of it for a long time. 

 Every one of the party stood on tip-toe, to mark the spot where it should rise, but all in vain ; 

 when the man at the rudder accidentally looked down over the stern, and then saw the goose, its 

 body immersed, the point of its bill alone above water, and its feet busily engaged in propelling 

 it so as to keep pace with the movements of the boat. The sailor attempted to catch it while 

 within a foot or two of him, but with the swiftness of thought it shifted from side to side, fore and 

 aft, until, delighted at having witnessed so much sagacity in a goose, I begged the party to suffer 

 the poor bird to escape." 



The Canada Goose has been seen within the Arctic Circle in summer, and even then was 

 winging its way farther north. Captain Phipps found them in Spitzbergen ; and through the 

 whole of the Hudson's Bay Territory they form a most important part of the season's food. The 



