80 
CANADA GOOSE. 
ward in great numbers, to pass tbe winter in our bays and 
rivers. Mr Platt happened to be standing in his yard when a 
flock passed directly over his barn. At that instant, he obser- 
ved three geese detach themselves from the rest, and, after 
wheeling round several times, alight in the middle of the 
yard. Imagine his surprise and pleasure, when, by certain well 
remembered signs, he recognised in one of the three his long 
lost fugitive. It was she indeed ! She had travelled many 
hundred miles to the lakes ; had there hatched and reared her 
ofispring; and had now returned with her little family, to 
share with them the sweets of civilized life. 
The truth of the foregoing relation can be attested by 
many respectable people, to whom Mr Platt has related the 
circumstances as above detailed. The birds were all living, 
and in his possession, about a year ago, and had shown no dis- 
position whatever to leave him.” 
The length of this species is three feet ; extent, five feet 
two inches ; the bill is black ; irides, dark hazel ; upper half 
of the neck, black, marked on the chin and lower part of the 
head with a large patch of white, its distinguishing character ; 
lower part of the neck before, white ; back and wing-coverts, 
brown, each feather tipt with whitish ; rump and tail, black ; 
tail-coverts and vent, white ; primaries, black, reaching to the 
extremity of the tail ; sides, pale ashy brown ; legs and feet, 
blackish ash. 
The male and female are exactly alike in' plumage. 
