BRITISH BIRDS. 
303 
eggs are ufed for houfehold purpofes. In fome 
countries the domeftic Geefe require much lefs care 
and attendance than thofe of this country. Buffon, 
in his elegant and voluminous Ornithology, in which 
nothing is omitted, gives a particular detail of their 
hiftory and economy every where : he informs us, 
that among the villages of the Coffacks, fubjed to 
Rullia, on the river Don, the Geefe leave their 
homes, in March or April, as foon as the ice breaks 
up, and the pairs joining each other, take flight in a 
body to the remote northern lakes, where they breed 
and conftantly refide during the fummer ; and that 
on the beginning of winter, the parent birds, with 
their multiplied young progeny, all return, and di- 
vide themfelves, every flock alighting at the door of 
the refpedlive place to which it belongs. 
The Goofe has for many ages been celebrated on 
account of its vigilance. The ftory of their faving 
Rome by the alarm they gave, when the Gauls 
were attempting the capitol, * is well known, and 
was probably the firfl: time of their watchfulnefs 
being recorded ; and, on that account, they were 
afterwards held in the highefl: efliimation by the Ro- 
man people. It is certain, that nothing can ftir in 
the night, nor the leafl: or mofl: diftant noife be 
made, but the Geefe are roufed, and immediately 
* As the poet fings — Et fei'vaturls vlgili capitolia voce 
Anferibus. 
