"WEDGE" FORMATION 105 



Thus, when rising from the place of depar- 

 ture the birds, irrespective of sex or age, fall 

 automatically into the " wedge " shape which 

 is the natural scheme for minimizing air or 

 water pressure, a system manifest throughout 

 nature. It is plainly indicated in the head and 

 shoulders of a fish. When constructing a ship 

 man adopts the same principle as obviously 

 the only means for reducing pressure of the 

 elements — air and water. 



The travelling birds and sailing-ship are, 

 indeed, somewhat aUke in this respect, for 

 both have " figureheads," but in neither case 

 is the head responsible for the guidance and 

 governing of the body. 



The goose has never been famous for its 

 inteUigence, but, collectively, as a " gaggle," 

 geese have sense enough to fly in the " wedge " 

 formation ; they invariably do so, and at the 

 same time keep up a continuous gabbling 

 (" honking ") (A. albifrons). This is not the 

 call of a leader, for they all do it, and the 

 sound is like a pack of hounds in full cry. 

 This habit, which I believe is purely auto- 

 matic and unconscious, serves to keep them 

 together — within the zone of telepathy. The 

 same may be said of the aforementioned 

 " pack." 



Geese and ducks are very conservative in 



