136 WILD GEESE 



coteague), all pinioned when goslings or when captured, 

 but otherwise, at full liberty, for those which come from 

 such a long line of domesticated ancestry, once accus- 

 tomed to a place, will not run away. 



"Canadas begin breeding at three or four years of age, 

 but their value as breeders increases definitely with age, 

 for young pairs are so erratic in this respect that I can 

 guarantee only my ten to fifteen year olds mated breed- 

 ing pairs, and these only I exchange if they do not breed 

 after the first year in their new surroundings. This will 

 explain the seeming disparity in prices of young and old 

 pairs; young pairs are suitable for decoys, etc., but 

 breeders who wish to get quick results know the value 

 of these old pairs. Canada geese are easily bred, if these 

 few essential requirements are observed: 



"(1) The mated pairs should be in their breeding quar- 

 ters as early as possible before the laying season (March) 

 begins. 



(2) Small knolls should be thrown up in the pond, two 

 feet above the water, or at the edge of the pond, and 

 some bushes stuck circularly around the tops which 

 should be flat and large enough for the nests. 



"(3) The enclosure should contain a fresh water pond 

 of sufficient depth to permit their sexual intercourse 

 while swimming — usually they will not breed otherwise. 



"(4) Immunity from disturbance by dogs, visitors, chil- 

 dren, etc., during the entire breeding period is very im- 

 portant. 



"(5) Food: Corn alone is sufficient for the adult geese; 

 coarse yellow cornmeal for the wild goslings."* 



*The reader should remember that Mr. Whealton's birds have con- 

 siderable liberty and undoubtedly procure mucli natural food. 



