WILD GEESE 187 



Nesting. Breeding occurs very early in the season, the 

 date depending upon the latitude. On the coast of Virginia, 

 J. W. Whealton's geese are said to lay in February. In 

 the region of New York City and Connecticut they usually 

 lay early in April, though sometimes later in the month in 

 backward seasons. In fact they breed too early, for the 

 eggs are often frozen or flooded. The pairs are fussy about 

 selecting the exact locations for their nesting-sites, and 

 the ganders fight. The first year that geese nest they are 

 timid, and must not be disturbed while they are preparing 

 to nest. When once they select a spot, they use it boldly 

 every year without further trouble. Usually no attempt is 

 made to conceal the nest, though it may be \mder a tree or 

 bush, or beside a trunk or log. I have seen the goose sitting 

 on her nest out in an open meadow, the most conspicuous 

 object in the landscape. The gander remains constantly 

 on guard, seldom going off more than a few yards. Grain 

 should be placed near him, as some ganders will almost 

 starve rather than leave, sometimes getting so weak they 

 can hardly stand up. In case of intrusion they can put up 

 quite a fight, and they strike powerful blows with their 

 wings. The eggs are from four to seven, five being the 

 most usual number. 



Evans Method. Wallace Evans breeds a considerable 

 number of Canada geese. They all live on one good-sized 

 pond, and make their nests some distance apart, and back 

 from the shore. They have access to a grove in the rear, 

 and some of them nest in these woods. 



Young. Assuming that the place has plenty of grass and 

 green vegetation, the gosKngs require no care or feeding 

 other than by the parents. Most breeders do not feed 

 the young at all until they are old enough to eat the grain 

 given to the parents. At first they do not touch it, but 



