862 
WILD GEESE. 
species, is more easily tamed than some others, particularly 
if taken young. Not hut that some of this race may he 
domesticated. In America, where vast flights pass to the 
northward to breed, the people shoot them in great numbers ; 
and as many, owing to their wide spread of wing, are often 
merely pinioned, they are kept alive, and in process of time 
have been made so tame, that having been let out in the 
morning, they returned in the evening. Several have been 
thus kept for many years ; but, although they constantly 
associated with the farm-yard Geese, they were never known 
to breed with them. Under particular circumstances, a wild 
Goose has, indeed, been known to throw itself under the 
protection of man. Thus an officer settled on a farm near 
the Missouri, in North America, one day, when walking 
near the banks of the river, observed a large Eagle fre- 
quently darting towards the water, and then rising again. 
On a near approach, he perceived that its object was to take 
a wild Goose, which had alighted on the water, and which 
was diving to avoid so powerful an enemy. Its efforts, how- 
ever, appeared to be in vain, and after diving again and 
again, and as often rising to get breath, it became nearly 
exhausted; when suddenly turning, it made for the shore 
with all speed towards the officer’s house, where two men 
were at work; and, as soon as it had landed, walked leisurely 
up to them, permitting itself to be taken without attempting 
to escape. It was completely exhausted, but soon recovered, 
and within three days seemed quite contented, and confident 
of protection. 
Amongst other species of wild Geese, there is one called 
the Bernacle, or Tree-Goose {Anas erytliroypus ) , which we 
shall mention on account of the extraordinary origin imputed 
to it, not only by ignorant, but even by some better informed 
people, in former days; and which may be adduced as one, 
amongst very many instances, of the advantages of know- 
ledge in separating truth from error. 
It will scarcely be now-a-days believed, that this Ber- 
nacle, or Tree- Goose, actually derived its name from a very 
general belief, that, instead of being hatched, like other 
