THE CANADA GOOSE. 
237 
the choice they had made; after which, although 
they remained together, any person could easily per- 
ceive that they were careful to keep in pairs. 
“ Such are the conflicts of these ardent lovers, and 
so full of courage and of affection toward their fe- 
males are they, that the approach of a male invaria- 
bly ruffles their tempers as well as their feathers. No 
sooner has the goose laid her first egg, than her bold 
mate stands almost erect by her side, watching even 
the rustling sound of the breeze. The least noise 
brings from him a sound of anger. Should he spy 
a raccoon making its way among the grass, he walks 
up to him undauntedly, hurls a vigorous blow at him, 
and drives him instantly away. Nay, I doubt if man 
himself, unarmed, would come off unscathed in such 
an encounter. 
u The Canada Goose is less shy when met with far 
inland, than when on the sea-coast. They usually 
feed in the manner of swans and fresh water ducks, 
that is, by plunging their heads toward the bottom 
of shallow ponds or the borders of lakes and rivers, 
immersing their fore parts, and frequently exhibiting 
their legs and feet with the posterior portion of their 
body elevated in the air. They never dive on such 
occasions. Wherever you find them, and however 
remote from the haunts of man the place may be, 
they are at all times so vigilant and suspicious, that 
it is extremely rare to surprise them. In keenness 
of sight and acuteness of hearing, they are perhaps 
surpassed by no bird whatever. They act as senti- 
nels toward each other, and during the hours at which 
