170 
THE CANADA GOOSE. 
whose regular periodical migrations are the sure signals of 
returning spring, or approaching winter. The tracts of 
their vast migratory journeys are not confined to the sea- 
coast or its vicinity. In their aerial voyages to and from 
the north, these winged pilgrims pass over the interior, on 
both sides of the mountains, as far west, at least, as the 
Osage river ; and I have never yet visited any quarter of 
the country where the inhabitants are not familiarly ac- 
quainted with the regular passing and repassing of the 
Wild Geese. 
The general opinion here is, that they are on their way 
to the lakes to breed ; but the inhabitants on the confines 
of the great lakes that separate us from Canada, are equally 
ignorant with ourselves of the particular breeding places of 
those birds. There, their journey north is but commenc- 
ing ; and how far it extends it is impossible for us, at pre- 
sent, to ascertain, from our little acquaintance with these 
frozen regions. They were seen by Hearne, in large flocks, 
within the Arctic circle, and were then pursuing their way 
still further north. Captain Phipps speaks of seeing Wild 
Geese feeding at the water’s edge on the dreary coast of 
Spitzbergen, in lat. 80° 27h It is highly probable that 
they extend their migrations under the very pole itself, 
amid the silent desolation of unknown countries, shut out 
since creation from the prying eye of man by everlasting 
and insuperable barriers of ice. That such places abound 
with their suitable food, we cannot for a moment doubt ; 
