GEESE. 
355 
of every obstacle; — “getting over,” to nse the man’s own 
words, “ the fences as well as I could myself.” All this, it 
should be observed, continued, not only without any encou- 
ragement on the part of the farmer, but even in spite of every 
discouragement on his part. How long it would have con- 
tinued, or to what extent, we lament to add, he effectually 
precluded the world from knowing ; for, with an unpardon- 
able inattention to so truly a wonderful case, in addition to 
equally unpardonable superstitious fear, he took it into his 
head, that this mysterious affection of the poor Goose fore- 
boded some evil ; and in a moment of alarm, he killed the 
faithful bird. 
Thus much for the attachment of the Goose to man ; and 
many equally striking instances might be adduced, of a 
similar attachment to animals. The two following anecdotes 
show the mutual affection which may exist between this bird 
and the dog. 
A species of the armed, or Cambrian Goose, a native of 
Africa, belonging to a person in Scotland, was observed for 
some time to pay particular attention to a dog which was 
chained up ; and what was singular, this dog had invariably 
manifested a great dislike to poultry, never allowing them to 
come within reach of his chain. But, in this case, he laid 
aside all his former animosity, and received his new ac- 
quaintance with every mark of affection. The Goose, finding 
she had nothing to fear from her canine friend, would enter 
his kennel, — in the centre of which, among the straw, she 
made her nest, and deposited her eggs, which was not known 
till one of the family mentioned that the Goose slept in the 
dog’s bosom. The singularity of the circumstance led to an 
examination of the box (but not without the greatest re- 
luctance on the part of the dog, who appeared determined to 
protect what was left to his care). On removing the straw, 
five eggs were discovered in a fine bed of down and feathers. 
The dog was in the habit of going into his box with the 
greatest care, for fear of injuring the eggs.^ 
Phil. Mag., vol. lvi. 
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