180 THE CANADA GOOSE. 



the month of January, while the other individuals would be contending or 

 coquetting for hours every day, until all seemed satisfied with the choice 

 they had made, after which, although they remained together, any person 

 could easily perceive that they were careful to keep in pairs. I have 

 observed also that the older the birds, the shorter were the preliminaries of 

 their courtship, and that the barren individuals were altogether insensible to 

 the manifestations of love and mutual affection that were displayed around 

 them. The bachelors and old maids, whether in regret, or not caring to be 

 disturbed by the bustle, quietly moved aside, and lay down on the grass or 

 sand at some distance from the rest; and whenever the flocks rose on wing, 

 or betook themselves to the water, these forlorn birds always kept behind. 

 This mode of preparing for the breeding season has appeared to me the more 

 remarkable, that, on reaching the place appointed for their summer residence, 

 the birds of a flock separate in pairs, which form their nests and rear their 

 young at a considerable distance from each other. 



It is extremely amusing to witness the courtship of the Canada Goose in 

 all its stages; and let me assure you, reader, that although a Gander does 

 not strut before his beloved with the pomposity of a Turkey, or the grace 

 of a Dove, his ways are quite as agreeable to the female of his choice. I 

 can imagine before me one who has just accomplished the defeat of another 

 male after a struggle of half an hour or more. He advances gallantly 

 towards the object of contention, his head scarcely raised an inch from the 

 ground, his bill open to its full stretch, his fleshy tongue elevated, his eyes 

 darting fiery glances, and as he moves he hisses loudly, while the emotion 

 which he experiences, causes his quills to shake, and his feathers to rustle. 

 Now he is close to her who in his eyes is all loveliness; his neck bending 

 gracefully in all directions, passes all round her, and occasionally touches 

 her body; and as she congratulates him on his victory, and acknowledges 

 his affection, they move their necks in a hundred curious ways. At this 

 moment fierce jealousy urges the defeated gander to renew his efforts to 

 obtain his love; he advances apace, his eye glowing with the fire of rage; 

 he shakes his broad wings, ruffles up his whole plumage, and as he rushes on 

 the foe, hisses with the intensity of anger. The whole flock seems to stand 

 amazed, and opening up a space, the birds gather round to view the combat. 

 The bold bird who has been caressing his mate, scarcely deigns to take 

 notice of his foe, but seems to send a scornful glance towards him. He of 

 the mortified feelings, however, raises his body, half opens his sinewy wings, 

 and with a powerful blow, sends forth his defiance. The affront cannot be 

 borne in the presence of so large a company, nor indeed is there much dis- 

 position to bear it in any circumstances; the blow is returned with vigour, 

 the aggressor reels for a moment, but he soon recovers, and now the combat 



