2 CANADA GOOSE. 



Bay Chaleur, the Magdeleine Islands, Newfoundland, and Labrador, at 

 all of which some remain to breed and spend the summer. 



The general spring migration of the Canada Goose, may be stated to 

 commence with the first melting of the snows in our Middle and Western 

 Districts, or from the 20th of March to the end of April ; but the pre- 

 cise time of its departure is alv/ays determined by the advance of the sea- 

 son, and the vast flocks that winter in the great savannahs or swampy 

 prairies south-west of the Mississippi, such as exist in Opellousas, on the 

 borders of the Arkansas River, or in the dismal " Ever Glades" of the 

 Floridas, are often seen to take their flight, and steer their course north- 

 ward, a month earlier than the first of the above mentioned ])eriods. It 

 is indeed probable that the individuals of a species most remote from the 

 point at which the greater number ultimately assemble, commence their 

 flight earlier than those which have passed the winter in stations nearer 

 to it. 



It is my opinion that all the birds of this species, which leave our 

 States and territories each spring for the distant north, pair before they 

 depart. This, no doubt, necessarily results from the nature of their place 

 of summer residence, where the genial season is so short as scarcely to af- 

 ford them sufficient time for bringing up their young and renewing their 

 plumage, before the rigours of advancing winter force them to com- 

 mence their flight towards milder countries. This opinion is founded 

 on the following facts : — I have frequently observed large flocks of 

 Geese, in ponds, on marshy grounds, or even on dry sand bars, the mated 

 birds renewing their courtship as early as the month of January, while 

 the other individuals would, be contending or coquetting for hours every 

 day, until all seemed satisfied with the choice they had made, after which, 

 although they remained together, any person could easily perceive that 

 they were careful to keep in pairs. I have observed also that the older 

 the birds, the shorter were the preliminaries of their courtship, and that 

 the barren individuals were altogether insensible to the manifestations of 

 love and mutual affection that were displayed around them. The bache- 

 lors and old maids, whether in regret, or not caring to be disturbed by 

 the bustle, quietly moved aside, and lay down on the grass or sand at 

 some distance from the rest ; and whenever the flocks rose on wing, or 

 betook themselves to the water, these forlorn birds always kept behind. 

 This mode of preparing for the breeding season has appeared to me the 

 more remarkable, that, on reaching the place appointed for their summer 



