GEESE— SWANS 53 



migrating southward in the winter in vast numbers, 

 in a V-shaped wedge, the lead being always taken, it 

 is said, by an old male bird. When one tires he falls 

 back, and another takes his place as leader of the flock. 



The White-fronted Goose is represented in both 

 European countries and in America, the American 

 variety being somewhat the larger. 



The Chinese were among the first peoples to domes- 

 ticate Geese, Ducks, and Chickens, and they have bred 

 many singular varieties in the course of the centuries. 

 The so-called Chinese Goose has huge excrescences on 

 top of the bill and curious wattle-like appendages 

 under the throat. Geese have figured for centuries in 

 the history of mankind. They were venerated by the 

 Romans from the fact that they were supposed to have 

 saved the city by their cackling when it was threatened 

 by the Gauls under Brennus. 



The domestic Goose is a fierce and aggressive bird, 

 and a blow from its powerful wings has been known 

 to inflict serious injury. The attitude of the Goose 

 when alarmed or angry — lowering its head, hissing, 

 and running after its enemy — is very singular. In 

 Holland and England for many years the Goose- 

 girl has been a well-known figure in literature and in 

 painting. In those countries Geese are taken regu- 

 larly out to graze in the fields, like sheep or cattle, 

 the birds progressing in a solid body and feeding as 

 they go. 



Swans are very large birds, with long sinuous necks, 

 found in most parts of the world except in Africa. 

 On land they are clumsy, owing to the backward posi- 

 tion of their legs, waddling along and using their neck 



