AMONG THE BIRDS OF THE YOSEMITE 225 



going several miles to feed, and returning every 

 evening to their roosts in ivy or brushy trees 

 and shrubs. 



Geese occasionally visit the Park, but never 

 stay long. Sometimes on their way across the 

 range, a flock wanders into Hetch-Hetchy or 

 Yosemite to rest or get something to eat, and 

 if shot at, are often sorely bewildered in seek- 

 ing a way out. I have seen them rise from the 

 meadow or river, wheel round in a spiral until a 

 height of four or five hundred feet was reached, 

 then form ranks and try to fly over the wall. 

 But Yosemite magnitudes seem to be as deceptive 

 to geese as to men, for they would suddenly find 

 themselves against the cliffs not a fourth of the 

 way to the top. Then turning in confusion, and 

 screaming at the strange heights, they would try 

 the opposite side, and so on until exhausted they 

 were compelled to rest, and only after discover- 

 ing the river canon could they make their escape. 

 Large, harrow-shaped flocks may often be seen 

 crossing the range in the spring, at a height of 

 at least fourteen thousand feet. Think of the 

 strength of wing required to sustain so heavy a 

 bird in air so thin. At this elevation it is but 

 little over half as dense as at the sea level. Yet 

 they hold bravely on in beautifully dressed 

 ranks, and have breath enough to spare for 

 loud honking. After the crest of the Sierra is 

 passed it is only a smooth slide down the sky to 



