kill them. Toward the end of the wandering, in 

 late November, the young are heavy enough to 

 fight for themselves ; and finally, at the finding 

 of a particularly rich mast of nuts or winter 

 grapes, the flocks mingle indiscriminately, and 

 remain united until the spring. 



II 



At the tail-end of the line of farm-yard inhabi- 

 tants, far below the pig in interest and intelli- 

 gence, stands the gobbler. Of all our birds there 

 is in him the least to be commended. Roasting 

 alone redeems him. Strangely enough, asso- 

 ciated with him in the yard, served with him at 

 the same Thanksgiving table, is the bird at the 

 head of the line. I doubt if there is bird or 

 beast, wild or tame, that for real interest and 

 admirable nature approaches the gander. 



Certainly no other bird voice comes to us 

 with a clearer call, no other flight so- quickens 

 us, no other life among birds reads so like an 

 epic as the wild gander's, this voyageur o/ the 

 clouds, this ranger of the zones. 



Farm-yard life for the goose is an entirely dif- 

 18 [273] 



