DUCKS AND GEESE 83 



The white-fronted goose is greatly esteemed for the 

 excellent quality of its flesh, which, by those who have 

 learned to appreciate it, is generally considered superior to 

 that of any other species. While the cruel pursuit of the 

 bird merely for purpose of sport ought not to be con- 

 tinued, appreciation of its value as food may well be 

 encouraged. 



CANADA GOOSE 



The Canada Goose ranges throughout temperate North 

 America, breeding in the West, on the ground or sometimes 

 in trees near streams. 



This is the typical wild goose, and, in the estimation of 

 many sportsmen, the wariest and gamiest of the feathered 

 tribe. In the fall and early spring, large flocks of these 

 geese may be seen moving slowly overhead. It is the gen- 

 eral supposition that these " honkers " are on the way north 

 or south, but they are much hardier than we generall)^ sup- 

 pose. Many Canada geese winter about Lake Michigan, 

 spending the day far out in open water where there is no 

 danger of molestation. At sundown they rise in V-shaped 

 flocks and move inland to feed in grain fields. 



Because of its intelligence, the Canada goose gives prom- 

 ise of holding its own despite the increase of gunners. It 

 would be a shame to lose this picturesque and stately bird, 

 as the United States can now claim few as summer residents, 

 while fifty years ago it was with us twelve months in the 

 year. 



In 1900, while collecting in North Dakota, I unexpect- 

 edly chanced upon a pair of these birds leading five downy 



