254 
Mr. G. Barnston on the 
by the natives there, as they pass up and down narrow, l ivers com¬ 
municating with the sea-coast and the lakes of the interior. The 
numerous flocks that are to be seen in the winter months on the 
expanses of the larger rivers that run into the Pacific, embel¬ 
lishing all the larger sheets of water with their silvery strings, 
must break up as they enter or advance upon their long spring 
journey, for they are generally seen but few together in the 
neighbourhood of Hudson's Bay. They may be more united, 
however, at the particular haunts where they breed. 
Superior to the Swan as an article of food, the Goose, of every 
species, is the favourite dish of the Indian of Hudson's Bay. 
When the long and dreary winter has fully expended itself, and 
the Willow Grouse have taken their departure for the plains of 
the North, there is frequently a period of rank starvation to 
many, who are on their way. from their wintering ground to the 
Trading Posts. The first call, therefore, of the large Canada or 
Grey Goose is heard with a rapture known only to those who 
have endured great privations. The tents are filled with hope, 
to which joy soon succeeds, when the happy father or hopeful 
son and brother throw down their grateful load. 
The Bernicla canadensis , here alluded to, is the largest of our 
Geese, and is almost always first seen in the Hudson's Bay Com¬ 
pany' s territories,—at first perhaps only one straggler, or two or 
three at most together, but soon to be followed by a continuous 
flock of fresh immigrants. They arc the advanced guard of the 
serried legions of other water-fowl. This spring-bird, as if aware 
of the general favour in which it is held, spreads itself diffusively 
over the whole breadth of the continent. Its disposition has less 
of wildness in it than that of the Snow Goose. We find it hatch¬ 
ing in quiet holes and corners where there is placid water and 
grass and rushes to afford it sustenance. It is at home over the 
whole wooded country, as well as on the extensive marshes of 
the sea-coast, and the mossy barrens of the Esquimaux and 
Chipewyan Lands. During the winter, like the other species, 
they take refuge in the more temperate parts of the country, 
where they can always have open water. I have seen a small 
flock in the strong open current of water above Lachine, near 
Montreal, in the month of January or February ; but this is rare, 
