116 



THE CANADA GOOSE. 



gradually died away, and what remains alive of 

 it to the southward can no longer produce fruit 

 to be compared with that of gone-by periods. 

 The bole, too, which measures full ten feet and 

 five inches in circumference at the graft, seems 

 to show signs of Time's hard usage. Perhaps 

 in a few years more a south-western gale, which 

 often does much damage here, may lay it low in 

 ruins. Close to this venerable tree I made a 

 hollow in the ground, about the size of an 

 ordinary coal-basket, and filled it with hay. 

 The geese soon took possession of it ; and on 

 the third day after they had occupied it, the 

 female laid an egg in it. She ultimately sat 

 on five, and they all proved addle. 



Last year this incongruous though persevering 

 couple visited the island again, and proceeded 

 with the work of incubation in the same place, 

 and upon hay which had been purposely re- 

 newed. Nothing could exceed the assiduity 

 with which the little Bernacle stood guard, 

 often on one leg, over his bulky partner, day 

 after day, as she was performing her tedious 

 task. If any body approached the place, his 

 cackling was incessant : he would run at him 

 with the fury of a turkey-cock ; he would jump 



