120 THE CANADA GOOSE. 



the great changes of temperature about to take place; that 

 it is surely an evil omen, in the dubious days of spring, to 

 see it retracing its course southward. The beautiful mili- 

 tary order of the flight of these birds — how, under the 

 direction of some accepted leader, they move now in form 

 of a straight line, now in the manner of an angle of varia- 

 ble degrees, every now and then some of them changing 

 positions, that the stronger and fresher may take its turn 

 in clearing the air, while the weaker and more weary take 

 the advantage of the wake — must be familiar to all who 

 have at all observed these grand movements. The confused 

 " hanking," " clanging " notes, too, which seem almost to 

 keep time with the beat of wings, must be equally familiar. 



In Western New York, at present, the Canada Goose is 

 simply a migrant, except as it " occasionally nests at large 

 in the United States" (Coues), where in former times its 

 nidification was common. (Audubon.) These birds come in 

 flocks from the south into our lake counties of Western New 

 York soon after the middle of March, and remain with us 

 some 4-6 weeks. During this time they may be seen almost 

 constantly riding on the water near the shores of Lake Ontario, 

 At day-break, and again in the afternoon, they fly inland to 

 feed in wheat-fields on the tender, succulent blades, or in the 

 richer meadows. On leaving the lake they are silent, but fill 

 the air with their clangor on returning. By the utmost 

 vigilance a few are shot; but they generally alight on some 

 eminence where there is a good outlook in every direction, 

 and some wary gander is constantly on the alert. 



The Canada Goose breeds more or less commonly in Lab- 

 rador and to the northward. Mr. James Fortiscue says 

 of their breeding about York Factory, Hudson's Bay: 

 " Hatch everywhere, up in woods and swamps; nests made 

 of sticks and hay, lined with feathers." 



