CANADA GOOSE. 8 



Residence, the birds of a flock separate in pairs, which form their nests 

 and rear their young at a considerable distance from each other. 



It is extremely amusing to witness the courtship of the Canada Goose 

 in all its stages ; and let me assure you, reader, that although a Gander 

 does not strut before his beloved with the pomposity of a Turkey, or the 

 grace of a Dove, his ways are quite as agreeable to the female of his 

 choice. I can imagine before me one who has just accomplished the de- 

 feat of another male after a struggle of half an hour or more. He ad- 

 vances gallantly towards the object of contention, his head scarcely raised 

 an inch from the ground, his bill open to its full stretch, his fleshy tongue 

 elevated, his eyes darting fiery glances, and as he moves he hisses loudly, 

 while the emotion which he experiences, causes his quills to shake, and 

 his feathers to rustle. Now he is close to her who in his eyes is all love- 

 liness ; his neck bending gracefully in all directions, passes all round her, 

 and occasionally touches her body ; and as she congratulates him on his 

 victory, and acknowledges his affection, they move their necks in a hun- 

 dred curious ways. At this moment fierce jealousy urges the defeated 

 gander to renew his efforts to obtain his love ; he advances apace, his 

 eye glowing with the fire of rage ; he shakes his broad wings, ruffles up- 

 his whole plumage, and as be rushes on the foe, hisses with the intensity 

 of anger. The whole flock seems to stand amazed, and opening up a 

 space, the birds gather round to view the combat. The bold bird who 

 has been caressing his mate, scarcely deigns to take notice of his foe, but 

 seems to send a scornful glance towards him. He of the mortified feel- 

 ings, however, raises his body, half opens his sinewy wings, and with a 

 powerful blow, sends forth his defiance. The affront cannot be borne in 

 the presence of so large a company, nor indeed is there much disposition 

 to bear it in any circumstances ; the blow is returned with vigour, the. 

 aggressor reels for a moment, but he soon recovers, and now the combat 

 rages. Were the weapons more deadly, feats of chivalry would now be 

 performed ; as it is, thrust and blow succeed each other like the strokes 

 of hammers driven by sturdy forgers. But now, the mated gander has 

 caught hold of his antagonist's head with his bill ; no bull-dog could cling- 

 faster to his victim ; he squeezes him with all the energy of rage, lashes 

 him with his powerful wings, and at length drives him away, spreads out 

 his pinions, runs with joy to his mate, and fills the air with cries of exul- 

 tation. 



But now, see yonder, not a couple, but half a dozen of ganders are 



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