192 ANATID^. 



southward, and in April and May on returning to its 

 northern home, that it makes its appearance in Canada, 

 halting on the way for rest and food, sometimes for 

 several days together. 



Observing fixed routes, it has been found that unless 

 prevented by fogs, storms, or the presence of man, these 

 birds also select the same spots year after year as resting 

 places, attractive as possessing the important desiderata 

 of sufficiency of food, solitude, and openness of situation. 

 They invariably avoid any approach to cover likely 

 to conceal an enemy, and seldom alight where there is 

 not a clear space all round, at all times maintaining so 

 vigilant a look-out that it is exceedingly difficult to get 

 within range. Among other favourite halting places may 

 be mentioned Green Island, and Cacouna, in the Eastern 

 Province, where at these periods they are always to be 

 found in great abundance. On the wing it is impossible 

 to reach them except with the rifle : a shot hardly 

 worth the experiment; for owing to their mode of 

 flight, which, according to the number of the flock, is 

 either in Indian file or in two lines converging to a point, 

 it is impossible to hit more than a single bird, while the 

 speed at which they fly and the great altitude invariably 

 maintained would render this a great chance. 



In the thick fogs which so often prevail at the com- 

 mencement of winter they frequently alight, unable to 



