174 
THE CANADA GOOSE. 
■wounded wing entirely healed. In the following spring, 
when the Wild Geese migrate to the northward, a flock 
passed over Mr. Platt’s barn-yard ; and, just at that moment, 
their leader happening to sound his bugle-note, our Goose, 
in whom its new habits and enjoyments had not quite 
extinguished the love of liberty, and remembering the well- 
known sound, spread its wings, mounted into the air, joined 
the travellers, and soon disappeared. In the succeeding 
autumn, the Wild Geese, as was usual, returned from the 
northward in great numbers, to pass the winter in our bays 
and rivers. Mr. Platt happened to be standing in his 
yard when a flock passed directly over his barn. At that 
instant, he observed three Geese detach themselves from 
the rest, and, after wheeling round several times, alight in 
the middle of the yard. Imagine his surprise and pleasure, 
when, by certain well-remembered signs, he recognised in 
one of the three his long-lost fugitive. It was she indeed ! 
She had travelled many hundred miles to the lakes; had 
there hatched and reared her offspring; and had now 
returned with her little family, to share with them the 
sweets of civilized life. 
