CANADA GOOSE. 



57, 



which the wild ones are accustomed to fly; and concealing them- 

 selves within gun-shot, wait for a flight, which is no sooner per- 

 ceived by the decoy Geese, than they begin calling aloud, until the 

 whole flock approaches so near as to give them an opportunity of 

 discharging two and sometimes three loaded musquets among 

 it, by which great havoc is made. 



The Wild Goose, when in good order, weighs from ten to 

 twelve, and sometimes fourteen pounds. They are sold in the 

 Philadelphia markets at from seventy-five cents to one dollar each ; 

 and are estimated to yield half a pound of feathers a piece, which 

 produces twenty-five or thirty cents more. 



The Canada Goose is now domesticated in numerous quar- 

 ters of the country, and is remarked for being extremely watchful, 

 and more sensible of approaching changes in the atmosphere than 

 the common Grey Goose. In England, France, and Germany, 

 they have also been long ago domesticated. BufFon, in his account 

 of this bird, observes, " within these few years many hundreds 

 inhabited the great canal at Versailles, where they breed familiarly 

 with the Swans; they were oftener on the grassy margins than in 

 the water;^"* and adds, "there is at present a great number of them 

 on the magnificent pools that decorate the charming gardens of 

 Chantilly." Thus has America already added to the stock of do- 

 mestic fowls two species, the Turkey and the Canada Goose, su- 

 perior to most in size, and inferior to none in usefulness; for it is 

 acknowledged by an English naturalist of good observation, that 

 this last species " is as familiar, breeds as freely, and is in every 

 respect as valuable as the common Goose.''^ 



The strong disposition of the wounded Wild Geese to mi- 

 grate to the north in spring, has been already taken notice of. 

 Instances have occurred where, their wounds having healed, they 

 have actually succeeded in mounting into the higher regions of the 

 air, and joined a passing party to the north; and, extraordinary 



* Bewick, v. ii, p. 255. 

 VOL. VIII. P 



