The Canada Geese 



The reason for the V-shaped flock formation, so characteristic of the 

 Canada goose and related species, although not positively known, is 

 commonly explained on the basis of air resistance. Just as a pace-maker 

 in athletics is accustomed to take the brunt of the air resistance, so an 

 old gander takes the heaviest of the labor. The V-shape at the same time 

 allows each bird in the flock to see what lies ahead. 



Geese, when flying high, give the appearance of moving slowly, and 

 the stroke of the wing is hardly noticeable. When near by, however, it 

 can be seen that in reality they move rapidly. The difficulty that these 

 heavy birds have in starting, unless able to fly into the wind, has given 

 opportunity to hunters for a close shot by driving quickly towards the 

 birds and making them fly with the wind instead of against it. 



Geese spend more of their time on land than do ducks, and loco- 

 motion is made easier by longer legs placed farther forward. When 

 feeding in the water the}' tilt like surface-feeding ducks. When a flock 



Taken in San Francisco Photo bv the Author 



HUTCHINS GEESE IN GOLDEN GATE PARK 



1865 



