ANSERIN.E — THE GEESE — BERNICLA. 
461 
were found breeding in trees, depositing their eggs in the deserted nests of Ravens 
and Fish-hawks. Its call is imitated by a prolonged nasal pronunciation of the 
syllable wook frequently repeated. 
Mr. George Barnston states that this species — the largest of any of the Geese 
visiting Hudson’s Bay — is almost always the earliest in its arrival. At first only a 
single straggler appears ; then two or three together, soon to be followed by a contin- 
uous flock of fresh immigrants. These are the advance-guard of the serried legions 
of other Waterfowl, and they soon spread themselves over the whole breadth of the 
continent. In its disposition this species has less of wildness than the Snow Goose. 
It hatches in quiet corners, where there is still water, and grass and rushes to afford 
it sustenance. It is at home in the wooded country as well as in the extensive 
marshes of the sea-coast, and on the Barrens of the Eskimo lands. During the winter 
it takes refuge in the open water of more southern regions, although Mr. Barnston 
saw a small flock of this species in the open current of water above Lachine, near 
Montreal, in the month of January or February. Before Oregon was settled, the 
Post at Fort Vancouver was supplied with these Geese in immense numbers. 
Captain Blakiston gives as the range of this species in the territory of the 
Hudson’s Bay Company, from the Bay to the Rocky Mountains, as far north as the 
Arctic Ocean. He found that it was the earliest of the Geese, appearing at Fort 
Carlton as early as March 28, and remaining there as late as November 3. It is not 
restricted in its breeding-grounds to the Far North, as he discovered a nest with four 
eggs between the north and south branches of the Saskatchewan on the 4th of May. 
It also occurs west of the Rocky Mountains, and Mr. R. Browne gives it as one of the 
common birds of Vancouver Island. 
Hearne, in the “Narrative of his Journey to the Northern Ocean” (p. 437), desig- 
nates this species as the common Gray Goose, while he gives the name of Canada Goose 
to the Bernicla Hutchinsi. He also states that this bird precedes every other in the 
Hudson’s Bay region, and that in some early springs it is seen on Churchill River as 
soon as the latter end of April, although more commonly arriving between the 11th 
and the 16th of May. In one year it did not make its appearance until the 26th of 
May. At their first arrival these birds generally come in pairs, and are readily 
decoyed by cries imitating their notes, so that they are easily shot. They breed 
in great numbers in the plains and marshes near Churchill River ; and in some 
years the young ones are taken in considerable numbers, and are easily tamed ; 
they will, however, never learn to eat corn unless some of the old ones are taken 
with them. 
Mr. Hearne adds that on the 9tli of August, 1781, when residing at Fort Prince of 
Wales, he sent a party of Indians in canoes up Churchill River to procure some of 
these Geese. In the afternoon they were seen coming down the river driving a large 
flock before them, the young ones not more than half grown, and the old ones so far 
advanced in moulting as to be incapable of flying. The whole flock, to the number 
of forty-one, was driven within the stockade which incloses the fort, where they were 
fattened for winter use. Wild Geese fattened in this way are preferable, in his 
opinion, to any others. When full grown, and in good condition, this bird often 
weighs twelve pounds. 
According to Dr. Cooper this is not a very common Goose in California, though 
some are sold in the market every winter. He met with a few in January near Fort 
Mojave, but saw none at San Diego. By its large size and sonorous honk-honk, 
uttered as it flies, this bird may readily be distinguished from other species, even 
at a considerable distance. It is much more southern in its range than the other 
