Birds The Goose 
from just back of the eyes underneath the head. 
These geese nest at the far North, and spend the 
winters in the South. There is no more interesting 
sight anywhere in the autumn landscape than the 
wedge-shaped flock of these long-necked birds with 
their leader at the front angle. The honking which 
reveals the passing flock, before our eyes can discern 
the birds against the sky, is the call of the wise old 
gander leader to those following him, and their 
return salute. He knows his way on this thousand- 
mile journey by the looks of the country. If a fog 
or storm hides the earth from his view, he is likely 
to become confused, and the flock will drop to earth 
with many distressful cries. The migration north- 
ward takes place in April and May, and the south- 
ward migration from October to December. The 
journey is made with stops for rest and refreshment, 
usually in secluded ponds or lakes. The food of 
wild geese consists of water-plants, seeds and corn, 
and some small animals living in water. The nests 
made of sticks, are lined with down, and are usually 
on the ground along the shores of streams; they are 
sometimes built on tree-stumps. There are only 
four or five eggs laid, and both parents are devoted 
to the young, the gander bravely defending his nest 
and family from the attacks of enemies. 
Our domestic geese are naturally monogamous in 
habits, and loyal to their mates. Old fashioned 
people declare that they choose their mates on 
Saint Valentine’s Day, but this is probably a pretty 
myth; when once mated, the two live together 
year after year until one dies; an interesting instance 
of this is one of the traditions in my own family. 
A fine pair of geese belonging to my pioneer grand- 
father had mated for several years and had reared 
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