THE CANADA GOOSE. 195 



fully guards his mate during that period, and is always 

 to be seen on sentry in her immediate neighbourhood. 

 After it is over the old birds moult, and immense num- 

 bers are chased with dogs and canoes, and killed by the 

 Indians and others, when unable from this cause to take 

 wing, and many of their young share the same fate; 

 so that their whole existence is a scene of danger and 

 alarm from its earliest moments. 



The flesh of the Canada goose is extremely nutritious 

 and well flavoured, owing doubtless in some measure to 

 the nature of its food. In the winter months, when on 

 the coast, this consists chiefly, according to Wilson, of the 

 broad tender leaves of a marine plant which grows on 

 stones and shells, and is usually called " sea cabbage ;" 

 as also the roots of the sedge, which they are frequently 

 observed in the act of tearing up. During their inland 

 journeys and at other times they live on grass, various 

 kinds of leaves, and seeds, with maize and corn when 

 they are to be obtained. 



The Canada goose is often to be seen in a domestic 

 state among the settlers, and has for many years been 

 recognised as a valuable addition to our own farmyards, 

 being found to breed freely with other kinds, but its 

 superior size and flavour render it well worthy of far 

 more extensive and special propagation. 



Many instances are mentioned in which this bird has 



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