40 
ANATLD/E. 
the gander habitually replied, and, in one instance, it was feared he 
had bade adieu to the place, as he took wing and joined a flock 
high in the air ; but, after holding a little converse with them, 
he returned like a true lover to his mate. This gander, perhaps 
in right of a higher descent than his associates who merely “ walk 
the earth,” at once, when put with the common geese, took the 
lead of the herd, sometimes numbering fifty or more, always heading 
them and keeping about two yards in advance. None of the tame 
ganders had ever the bad taste to dispute the chieftainship with 
him, and he proved a trustworthy guardian, as when his associates 
made an occasional sally into a corn-field he took his station 
on the fence, and sounded an alarm when the enemy was seen 
approaching. 
At Springmount, in fine open weather, a wild bean goose 
alighted beside a flock of tame geese, so close to the dwelling- 
house that it was shot from the back-door. A bird of this species 
wounded there soon recovered the use of its wings, and would 
fly away and remain absent for a few days, but always returned, 
until eventually killed on one of these experimental trips. It 
was there for part of a season with the hero of the preceding nar- 
rative. “ In the spring of 1838 a wild goose, which had evidently 
been wounded, remained after the others had departed, and was 
seen feeding on the marshy lands of Bella, the residence of the late 
Edward Ereneli, Esq., near Brenchpark, and frequently joining 
company with some tame geese belonging to a tenant of that 
gentleman. After some time it walked into the farm-yard with 
its newly -formed acquaintance, and became quite domesticated.” * 
A wild goose caught during a heavy fall of snow at Mourne 
(Down), in the winter of 1845, associated freely with a farmer's 
geese during the following spring and summer. In the suc- 
ceeding spring, however, its wing, which had been clipped, 
recovered from the mutilation, and the bird, taking to flight, was 
heard of no more until the following autumn, when it (or a goose be- 
lieved to be the same) paid a passing visit to its former associates by 
* Mr. G. Jackson. 
