The Goose Birds 
handsome families; but one spring a conceited young 
gander fell in love with the old goose; and as he was 
young and lusty, he whipped her legitimate lord and 
master and triumphantly carried her away, although 
she was manifestly disgusted with this change in 
her domestic fortunes. The old gander sulked and 
refused to be comforted by the company of any 
young goose whatever. Later the old pair dis- 
appeared from the farmyard and the upstart gander 
was left wifeless. It was inferred that the old 
couple had run away with each other into the encom- 
passing wilderness and much sympathy was felt for 
them because of this sacrifice of their lives for 
loyalty. However, this was misplaced sentiment, 
for later in the summer the happy pair was dis- 
covered in a distant “‘slashing’’ with a fine family 
of goslings and were all brought home in triumph. 
The old gander, while not able to cope with his 
rival, was still able to trounce any of the animal 
marauders which approached his home and family. 
The goose lines her nest with down and the soft 
feathers which she plucks from her breast. The 
gander is very devoted to his goose while she is 
setting; he talks to her in gentle tones and is fierce 
in her defence. The eggs are about twice as large 
as those of the hen and have the ends more rounded. 
The period of incubation is about four weeks. The 
goslings are beautiful little creatures, covered with 
soft down, and with large, bright eyes. The parents 
give them most careful attention from the first. 
The gander and goose always show suspicion and 
resentment by opening the mouth wide, emitting a 
hissing noise, and showing the whole round tongue 
in mocking defiance. When the gander attacks, he 
thrusts his head forward, even with or below the 
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