CANADA GOOSE. 



75 



Spring arrival of the Canada goose — Continued. 



The Canada goose is about the earliest water bird to migrate in spring, 

 and throughout the whole course of its journey from its winter home 

 to the Arctic coast it keeps close to the melting ice and the opening 

 streams. The following dates seem a fair average for the time of 

 arrival in the several districts: 



If the time occupied in passing from one district to the next is com- 

 pared with the distance traveled, it will be found that the speed varies 

 widely in different parts of the migration route. The following are 

 approximate averages: 



From latitude 40° to latitude 44°, 9 miles per day. 

 From latitude 44° to latitude 46°, 15 miles per day. 

 From latitude 46° to latitude 50°, 20 miles per day. 

 From latitude 50° to latitude 58°, 23 miles per day. 

 From latitude 58° to latitude 62°, 25 miles per day. ' 

 From latitude 62° to latitude 66°, 30 miles per day. 



A great many records of the spring arrival of the Canada goose at 

 the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company are available. Since this bird 

 forms an important part of the food, both of the Indians and of the 

 company's employees, a record is kept of its arrival each spring, and 

 a reward is given to the person that secures the first one. These 



