1§4 THE CANADA GOOSE. 



of these parts to be, that the attempts made to rear them in a state of domes- 

 tication very rarely succeed. 



The Canada Goose, when it remains with us to breed, begins to form its 

 nest in March, making choice of some retired place not far from the water, 

 generally among the rankest grass, and not unfrequently under a bush. It 

 is carefully formed of dry plants of various kinds, and is of a large size, flat, 

 and raised to the height of several inches. Once only did I find a nest 

 elevated above the ground. It was placed on the stump of a large tree, 

 standing in the centre of a small pond, about twenty feet high, and contained 

 five eggs. As the spot was very secluded, I did not disturb the birds, 

 anxious as I was to see in what manner they should convey the young to 

 the water. But in this I was disappointed, for, on going to the nest, near 

 the time at which I expected the process of incubation to terminate, I had 

 the mortification to find that a racoon, or some other animal, had destroyed 

 the whole of the eggs, and that the birds had abandoned the place. The 

 greatest number of eggs which I have found in the nest of this species was 

 nine, which I think is more by three than these birds usually lay in a wild 

 state. In the nests of those which I have had in a domesticated state, I have 

 sometimes counted as many as eleven, several of them, however, usually 

 proving unproductive. The eggs measure, on an average, 3^ inches by 2^, 

 are thick shelled, rather smooth, and of a very dull yellowish-green colour. 

 The period of incubation is twenty-eight days. They never have more than 

 one brood in a season, unless their eggs are removed or broken at an early 

 period. 



The young follow their parents to the water a day or two after they have 

 issued from the egg, but generally return to land to repose in the sunshine 

 in the evening, and pass the night there under their mother, who employs 

 all imaginable care to ensure their comfort and safety, as does her mate, who 

 never leaves her during incubation for a longer time than is necessary for 

 procuring food, and takes her place at intervals. Both remain with their 

 brood until the following spring. It is during the breeding season that the 

 gander displays his courage and strength to the greatest advantage. I knew 

 one that appeared larger than usual, and of which all the lower parts were of 

 a rich cream-colour. It returned three years in succession to a large pond a 

 few miles from the mouth of Green river in Kentucky, and whenever I 

 visited the nest, it seemed to look upon me with utter contempt. It would 

 stand in a stately attitude, until I reached within a few yards of the nest, 

 when suddenly lowering its head, and shaking it as if it were dislocated 

 from the neck, it would open its wings, and launch into the air, flying 

 directly at me. So daring was this fine fellow, that in two instances he 

 struck me a blow with one of his wings on the right arm, which, for an 



