4 CANADA GOOSE. 



eno-ao-ed in battle ! Some desperado, it seems, has fallen upon a mated 

 bird, and several bystanders, as if sensible of the impropriety of such con- 

 duct, rush to the assistance of the wronged one. How they strive and 

 tug, biting, and striking with their wings ! and how their feathers fiy 

 about ! Exhausted, abashed, and mortified, the presumptuous intruder 

 retreats in disgrace ; — there he lies almost breathless on the sand !' 



Such are the conflicts of these ardent lovers, and so full of courage 

 and of affection towards their females are they, that the approach of a 

 male invariably ruffles their tempers as well as their feathers. No sooner 

 has the goose laid her first egg, than her bold mate stands almost erect 

 by her side, watching even the rustling sound of the breeze. The least 

 floise brings from him a sound of anger. Should he spy a racoon making 

 its way among the grass, he walks up to him undauntedly, hurls a vigor- 

 ous blow at him, and drives him instantly away. Nay I doubt if man 

 himself, if unarmed, would come off unscathed in such an encounter. 

 The brave gander does more ; for, if imminent danger excite him, he 

 urges his mate to fly ofl*, and resolutely remains near the nest until he is 

 assured of her safety, when he also betakes himself to flight, mocking as 

 it were by his notes his disappointed enemy. 



Suppose all to be peace and quiet around the fond pair, and the fe- 

 male to be sitting in security upon her eggs. The nest is placed near 

 the bank of a noble stream or lake ; the clear sky is spread over the 

 scene, the bright beams glitter on the waters, and a thousand odorous 

 flowers give beauty to the swamp which of late was so dismal. The gan- 

 der passes to and fro over the liquid element, moving as if lord of the 

 waters ; now he inclines his head with a graceful curve, now sips to 

 quench his thirst ; and, as noontide has arrived, he paddles his way to- 

 wards the shore, to relieve for a while his affectionate and patient consort. 

 The lisping sounds of their off'spring are heard through the shell ; their 

 little bills have formed a breach in the inclosing walls ; full of life, and 

 bedecked with beauty, they come forth, with tottering steps and downy 

 covering. Toward the water they now follow their careful parent, they 

 reach the border of the stream, their mother already floats on the loved 

 element, one after another launches forth, and now the flock glides 

 gently along. What a beautiful sight ! Close by the grassy margin, 

 the mother slowly leads her innocent younglings ; to one she shews the 

 seed of the floating grass, to another paints out the crawling slug. Her 

 careful eye watches the cruel turtle, the garfish, and the pike, that are 



