Goose in many particulars, but is recognisable therefrom by its
comparatively slender body, long neck, and variegated plumage. In this
bird the head and nape are black, and the cheeks, throat, and gullet white
or greyish white; the feathers on the upper part of the body are brownish
grey with light edges; those on the breast and upper neck dark grey, and
those on the rest of the under side pure white; the primary quills are
blackish brown; the secondaries and tail (the latter composed of sixteen
or eighteen feathers) are black. The eye is greyish brown, the beak black,
and the foot blackish grey. The length of the male is from thirty-five to
thirty-six inches, and his breadth from sixty-three to sixty-five inches;
the wing measures eighteen inches, and the tail seven and a half. The
female is not quite so large. The Canada Goose has frequently been shot
in this country, and it is therefore included by Yarrell amongst British
birds. Large flocks have been seen in Cambridgeshire, and specimens have
been killed in Hampshire, Cornwall, and the Scilly Isles. A writer in
the _Magazine of Natural History_ also gives an account of a small flock
of these birds that frequented and made their nest near Derby. This
species, the Common Wild Goose of America, is well known throughout the
United States, both as a resident and migratory bird. It advances north
about April and May, when the disappearance of the snow and ice allows
it to find berries and other vegetable matter; and after feeding for
about three weeks, separates from the flock, and with its mate seeks such
retired spots for breeding as afford a supply of suitable food. The nest
is usually made upon the ground, but occasionally in trees, or in the
deserted eyrie of a Raven or Fishing Hawk. During the breeding season
the Gander displays his courage to the greatest advantage. Audubon gives
the following account of his personal experience in this particular. "I
knew a male," says that writer, "that appeared larger than usual, and of
which all the lower parts were of a rich cream-colour. It returned three
years in succession to a large pond a few miles from the mouth of the
Green River, in Kentucky, and whenever I visited the nest it seemed to
look upon me with utter contempt. It would stand in a stately attitude
until I reached within a few yards of the nest, when suddenly lowering
its head and shaking it, as if it were dislocated from the neck, it would
open its wings and launch into the air, flying directly at me. So daring
was this fine fellow that in two instances he struck me a blow with one
of his wings on the right arm, which for an instant I thought was broken.
I observed that immediately after such an effort to defend his nest and
mate, he would run swiftly towards them, pass his head and neck several
times over and around the female, and again assume his attitude of
defiance. Should danger be imminent, the brave Gander urges his mate to
fly off, and resolutely remains near the nest until he is assured of her
safety, when he betakes himself to flight, mocking, as it were, by his
notes his disappointed enemy. Suppose all to be peace and quiet around
the fond pair, and the female to be sitting in security upon her eggs.
The nest is placed near the bank of a noble stream or lake, the clear sky
is spread over the scene, the bright beams glitter on the waters, and a
thousand odorous flowers give beauty to the swamp which was of late so
dismal. The Gander passes to and fro over the liquid element, moving as if
lord of the waters; now he inclines his head with a graceful curve, now
sips to quench his thirst, and as noontide has arrived he paddles his way
towards the shore to relieve for awhile his patient consort. Carefully
tended and taught, the young grow apace, and by the beginning of September
are able to fly from one shore to another; then, as the increasing frosts
give warning of approaching winter, the separate families unite, and on
perceiving the coming of a snow-storm, at the general warning cry of the
Ganders, the united flock rises high into the air, and the young are
instructed how to move.
[Illustration: THE GREY OR WILD GOOSE (_Anser cinereus_). ONE-SIXTH
NATURAL SIZE.]
"But now the host has been marshalled, and off it starts, showing as it
proceeds at one time an extended front, at another a single lengthened
file, and now arraying itself in an angular form. The old males advance
in front, the females follow; the young come in succession according to
their strength, the weakest forming the rear. Should one feel fatigued,
his position is changed in the ranks, and he assumes a place in the wake
of another, who cleaves the air before him. Two, three, or more days
elapse before they find a secure resting-place. The fat with which they
were loaded at their departure has rapidly wasted; they are fatigued, and
experience the keen gnawings of hunger; but now they spy a wide estuary,
towards which they direct their course. Alighting on the water, they swim
to the beach, stand and gaze around them; the young full of joy, the old
full of fear, for they are well aware that many foes have been waiting
their arrival. All night the flock remains silent, but not inactive;
they betake themselves with care to the grassy shores, where they allay
the cravings of appetite, and recruit their wasted strength. Soon as the
early dawn lightens the surface of the deep, they rise into the air and
proceed southward, until arriving in some place where they think they may
be enabled to rest in security, they remain during the winter. At length,
after many annoyances, they joyfully perceive the return of spring, and
prepare to fly away from their greatest enemy, man."
The Canada Goose arrives in the western districts of that country about
the beginning of September, and frequents the lakes, rivers, and wet
savannahs of the interior as well as the sea-shore. These birds usually
feed by plunging their head and the fore parts of their body beneath
the surface, but never by diving. In the fields they pluck the grass
sideways, like the Domestic Goose, and pat the earth with their feet
to drive the earthworms from their retreats. They frequently alight in
corn-fields to feed on the tender blades, and everywhere are extremely
vigilant. While the flock reposes, sentinels are placed on the watch to
rouse their sleeping companions if danger should approach. If pursued into
the water, the Ganders utter loud cries, and in a few moments they rise
simultaneously, and fly off in a compact body.
"So acute," says Audubon, "is their sense of hearing, that they are
able to distinguish the different sounds or footsteps of their foes
with astonishing accuracy. Thus the breaking of a stick by a deer is
distinguished from the same accident occasioned by a man. If a dozen large
turtles drop into the water, making a great noise in their fall, or if
the same effect has been produced by an alligator, the Wild Goose pays
no regard to it, but however faint and distant may be the sound of an
Indian's paddle that may by accident have struck the side of his canoe,
it is at once marked, every individual raises its head and looks intently
towards the place from which the noise has proceeded, and in silence all
watch the movements of their enemy. I was much surprised one day, while on
the coast of Labrador, to see how cunningly one of these birds, which in
consequence of the moult was quite unable to fly, managed for awhile to
elude our pursuit. It was first perceived at some distance from the shore,
when the boat was rowed towards it, and it swam before us with great
speed, making directly towards the land; but when we came within a few
yards of it, it dived, and nothing could be seen of it for a long time.
Every one of the party stood on tip-toe, to mark the spot where it should
rise, but all in vain, when the man at the rudder accidentally looked down
over the stern, and then saw the Goose, its body immersed, the point of
its bill alone above water, and its feet busily engaged in propelling it
so as to keep pace with the movements of the boat. The sailor attempted
to catch it while within a foot or two of him, but with the swiftness
of thought it shifted from side to side, fore and aft, until, delighted
at having witnessed so much sagacity in a Goose, I begged the party to
suffer the poor bird to escape." The residents in Hudson's Bay eagerly
welcome the arrival of these birds, on which they depend for their winter
supply of provisions. Huts are built over the marshes where they feed, and
decoys set up to lure them to destruction. In some years as many as three
thousand or four thousand have been killed in Hudson's Bay, and salted for
winter use. The eggs are also much esteemed, and the feathers form an
important article of commerce. The call of the Canada Goose resembles the
syllables, "Hawk, hawk, hawk, awhawk, awhawk."
THE SNOW GOOSE.
The SNOW GOOSE (_Anser_ [_Chen_] _hyperboreus_) has the entire plumage
of a pure white, with the exception of the first ten quills, which are
black, with white roots, and white shafts tipped with black. In young
birds the feathers on the upper back, shoulders, a portion of the neck,
the breast, and sides are blackish grey; the head and nape are shaded with
grey; the lower back and feathers on the upper tail-covers are dark grey;
the primary and secondary quills greyish black, the latter bordered with
greyish white; the tail-feathers are also dark grey, and similarly edged.
The eye is dark brown, the beak dull pale red, edged with black, and the
foot pale bright red. This species is from twenty-six to twenty-seven
inches long, and from fifty-two to fifty-three broad; the wing measures
sixteen and the tail six inches.
"The young of this species," says Audubon, "begin to acquire their
whiteness about the head and neck after the first year, but the upper
parts remain of a dark blueish colour until the bird suddenly becomes
white all over, at least this is the case with such as are kept in
captivity. My friend Dr. Bachman, of Charleston, South Carolina, kept a
male Snow Goose several years along with his tame Geese. He had received
it from a friend while it was in its grey plumage, and the following
spring it became white. It had been procured in the autumn, and proved
to be a male. In a few days it became very gentle, and for several
years it mated with a Common Goose, but the eggs produced by the latter
never hatched. The Snow Goose was in the habit of daily frequenting a
mill-pond in the vicinity, and returning regularly at night along with
the rest; but in the beginning of each spring it occasioned much trouble.
It then continually raised its head and wings, and attempted to fly
off; but finding this impossible, it was anxious to perform its journey
on foot, and it was several times overtaken and brought back, after it
had proceeded more than a mile, having crossed fences and plantations
in a direct course northward. This propensity cost it its life; it had
proceeded as far as the banks of the Cooper River, when it was shot by a
person who supposed it to be a wild bird." A Snow Goose kept by Audubon
himself exhibited the same desire to go northward on the return of spring.
When migrating northward, although they start at the same time, the young
and old keep in separate flocks, the young continuing to remain apart
from the old even when approaching the higher latitudes. During the whole
winter, indeed, they remain divided, although in the same localities; and
Audubon informs us that, although the young and old are often seen to
repose on the same sand-bar, the flocks keep at as great a distance as
possible from each other.
* * * * *
The SEA GEESE (_Bernicla_) are comparatively small, compactly-built
birds, with short necks and moderately large heads; the short delicate
beak is strong, broad and high at its base, slender towards its tip, and
slightly denticulated at its margins; the foot is low, but powerful; and
the wing so long as to extend as far as the tip of the short tail, which
is rounded at its extremity. The thick plumage is principally of a deep
grey, marked with black, white, and reddish brown. These Geese are met
with in the extreme north of Europe, Asia, and America; the American,
formerly considered as distinct from the European, being evidently only
a variety. The home of these birds is to be found upon the coasts and
islands situated between 60° and 80° of north latitude. Only a few breed
in Iceland; but in Spitzbergen they are very numerous, and further east
they abound throughout the summer along all the shores of the Icy Ocean;
they are likewise numerous in Hudson's Bay and the neighbouring waters.
From the above inhospitable regions they make annual pilgrimages to
warmer climates, appearing in Great Britain towards the end of October
or the beginning of November. At this time they crowd the vicinity of
the coast in thousands and tens of thousands; far as the eye can reach
they may sometimes be seen wading around the banks of sand and amid the
shallows left by the receding tide; their cries are to be heard above the
roar of the surf; and the masses, when they take flight and rise into the
air, resemble at a distance a thick and wide-spread smoke, their numbers
being absolutely incalculable. A few individuals may also be sometimes
seen in the interior of the country upon lakes and other large sheets of
water; these, however, can only be regarded as stragglers: all Sea Geese
well deserve the name, as under ordinary circumstances they never leave
the coast. As relates to their ordinary food, these birds differ from
Common Geese in so far that, besides grass and marine plants, they eat
a considerable proportion of animal food. In northern regions they feed
upon whatever is there to be met with. With us they prefer meadow grass
and tender herbage. In captivity they readily feed upon grain, to which,
however, should be added a considerable proportion of green vegetables.
THE BRENT GOOSE.
The BRENT GOOSE (_Bernicla torquata_) is black upon the head, neck,
quills, and tail; the feathers on the breast, back, and upper belly are
dark grey, with light tips; the sides of the belly, rump, and upper
tail-covers are white; the sides of the throat are decorated with a white
crescent-shaped patch. The young are without the white feathers on the
throat, and are darker than the adult birds.
The Brent Geese are constant summer visitors to the British shores,
arriving in October and departing about the end of April. These birds
are distinguishable beyond all others of the family by the elegance of
their movements and their peaceful demeanour; they walk well both upon
firm ground and over a muddy surface; they swim rapidly and buoyantly,
and dive with facility; their power of flight surpasses that of any other
Geese; they do not, however, when flying adopt the wedge-like arrangement
so commonly seen among their congeners, but make their way through the
air in large noisy flocks, in which the birds are promiscuously crowded
together. The noise made by one of these vast assemblages, as they rise
from the ground, resembles the roll of distant thunder, and even when
flying at a considerable elevation the movement of their wings produces a
whizzing sound which is distinctly audible. Their voice is very harsh; the
call-note somewhat resembles the syllables "Kn-āng," often repeated; when
feeding they utter a rough hoarse "Krōch," while their expression of anger
is a low hiss. Like others of their race they always live associated in
flocks, and should an unfortunate straggler become accidentally separated
from his companions, he may be seen flying anxiously about in search
of others of his species, never resting until once more safe in their
society. The behaviour of these birds in the presence of man proclaims
them at once to be unsophisticated children of the north, who have never
experienced the tender mercies of their arch-enemy. They seem at first
to witness his approach without any suspicion of danger, and it is only
after suffering severely for their temerity that they become wild and
distrustful. On their first arrival, indeed, whole families of them may
sometimes be killed with stones and clubs, and they are taken in snares
more easily than most other Geese.
"In calm weather," says Colonel Hawker, "these Geese have in general the
cunning to leave the mud as soon as the tide flows high enough to bear an
enemy, and then they go off to sea and feed on the drifting weeds. To kill
Brent Geese by day, go out in a small punt at low water, and keep as near
as possible to the edge of the sea. You will then hear them like a pack
of hounds in full cry, and they will repeatedly pass within fair shot,
provided you are well concealed, and the weather is windy to make them fly
low. Before you fire at them, spring suddenly up, and these awkward birds
will be in such a fright as to hover together and present a mark like a
barn door. The Brent Geese when fat are excellent eating." In confinement
they are at first exceedingly timid, but soon become reconciled to their
new condition, and even show marked attachment to those who feed them,
coming at their call, and, if kindly treated, following their footsteps
like dogs. In a farmyard, or upon a large pond, they are extremely
ornamental, and deserve much more attention than they have as yet
received. The Brent Geese have been long known to breed in considerable
numbers on the shores of Spitzbergen, but it is only recently that we
have had any definite accounts of their proceedings. Malmgren tells us
that their breeding-places are chiefly to be met with in the western
and northern coasts of the island, and on the rocks in the vicinity,
more especially in places resorted to by Eider Ducks. Their nests are
very rudely constructed with the stems and leaves of water-plants, and
are often placed so close to those of the Eider Duck that those birds
frequently steal their eggs in great numbers. The brood of the Brent
Goose consists of from six to eight comparatively small, thin-shelled,
lustreless eggs, of a dirty, greenish white colour. Middendorf found a
young bird newly hatched about the middle of July. Further than this we
have no information.
[Illustration: THE BRENT GOOSE (_Bernicla torquata_). ONE-FIFTH NATURAL
SIZE.]
Upon the southern coasts of the Baltic and in Holland, during the spring
and autumn, thousands of these birds are shot, and a still greater number
captured by means of decoys. Their flesh is much esteemed, but has
occasionally a disagreeable rancid taste, probably owing to the shell-fish
upon which they feed. To remedy this, it is usual in Holland to keep them
for some time before they are killed, feeding them with grain and other
vegetable diet.
* * * * *
The FOXY GEESE (_Chenalopex_) are at once recognisable from the above
species by their slender neck, large head, short beak, high foot, broad
wing, and beautiful plumage. The somewhat feeble bill, which is raised
at the base and depressed towards the tips, terminates in a broad, round
nail; the partially bare foot is slender, and furnished with small toes;
the wings exhibit a slight spur at the wrist-joint, and have the upper
secondary quills well developed; the short tail is composed of fourteen
feathers. The members of this group are natives of Africa and Syria.
THE NILE GOOSE.
The NILE GOOSE (_Chenalopex Ægyptiacus_) has unusually variegated plumage.
In this species the sides of head and front of the neck are yellowish
white, finely dotted; the patch around the eye, the nape, and a broad band
about the throat, are reddish brown; the feathers on the upper portions of
the body are grey and black, and those of the under side reddish yellow,
marked with black and white; the centre of the breast and belly are of
lighter shade, and the former is decorated with a large, round, reddish
brown patch; the white wing-covers are striped with black and enlivened
by a fine metallic lustre; the tips of the quills and the tail-feathers
are glossy black; the eye is orange or yellow; the beak blueish red with
blueish grey base, and light tip to the upper mandible; the foot is
reddish, or light yellow. This bird is two feet three inches long and four
feet and a half broad; the wing measures sixteen inches and the tail five
inches and a quarter. The female is smaller than her mate, but nearly
resembles him in her general appearance; her plumage, however, is not so
finely marked, and the patch upon her breast of inferior size.
The head-quarters of the Nile Goose extend from Egypt to the Cape of
Good Hope, and from the east coast far into the interior of Africa;
along the west coast of that continent it probably does not occur. From
Africa its range extends throughout Palestine and Syria, reaching as far
as Greece, Italy, and the south of Spain. During our travels in Africa
we had abundant opportunities of observing these beautiful birds, whose
portrait is not unfrequently to be seen sculptured upon the monuments of
ancient Egypt. In Lower Egypt they are abundant all along the Nile, except
in such places as are particularly unsuited to their habits; as, for
example, where the river washes walls of bare rock, or where no islands
are to be met with. In Southern Nubia they are to be seen in large flocks;
in Soudan they are regular occupants of the banks of the rivers, and are
even met with upon pools of rain-water, as well as large ponds, at a
considerable distance from their banks. During the breeding season these
birds generally occur in pairs, afterwards in company with their young
families; but at a later period they associate together in large flocks,
and in the moulting season, during which they are not incapable of flight,
innumerable hosts of them may be seen crowding the shores of the river for
hours together. On one occasion during our journeyings along the White
Nile, for three successive days we found the banks crowded with countless
birds, of which the Nile Geese formed a very conspicuous portion; they
are, however, never to be seen at any great distance from water, except,
indeed, when winging their way high in the air. They seem, moreover,
to prefer certain parts of the river, from whence they fly into the
neighbouring fields in search of food, returning to them again when their
hunger is satisfied. Each pair takes possession of a certain space of
ground, from which they jealously expel all intruders; nevertheless, the
males readily associate with each other, and may often be seen together
apparently enjoying a quiet chat, or occasionally a bit of fighting. The
personal endowments of the Nile Geese are quite on a par with the elegance
of their plumage. In running they emulate the long-legged Spurred Geese;
they swim gracefully and without effort, keeping the fore part of their
bodies deeply immersed; they are able, moreover, to dive to a considerable
depth, rowing themselves along when under water both with their feet and
wings. Their flight is noisy, but light and rapid. When flying in pairs,
one follows close behind the other; when in large flocks, they frequently
observe no regular order, except they are bound upon a long journey,
on which occasions they adopt the V-like phalanx. Their voice has some
distant resemblance to that of our Domestic Goose; it is, however, hoarse,
and reminds the listener of the notes of a cracked trumpet. In all its
proceedings this Goose seems to be particularly cautious and circumspect;
always watchful for its own safety, it mistrusts the slightest approach
of a stranger, and in this respect is more afraid of a foreigner than
of the negroes, with whose appearance it is most familiar. Its temper
and disposition are by no means in accordance with the beauty of its
appearance; indeed, it must be classed with the most domineering and
vicious of its race, for although living in society it can hardly be said
ever to be at peace with its companions. During the pairing season the
battles between the males are literally to the death (at least so we have
found it in some that we kept in confinement); they follow one another
with loud cries and unappeasable fury, bite savagely, and beat each
other with their wings until one or both fall exhausted to the ground.
The Ganders seem to delight in tyrannising over all the other inmates of
the pond, and not content with persecuting Ducks and Geese considerably
larger than themselves, such is their boldness and audacity that they
will sometimes attack even man himself. Should one of them encounter
another male of his own species, either alone or accompanied by a female,
it will fall upon him as though it were a bird of prey, and should it
be unable to kill him by blows inflicted with the beak and wings, will
try to drown him. No sooner is the vanquished bird so exhausted as to
be unable to resist, than, mounting upon its body, the victor seizes it
by the neck and holds its head under water until life is quite extinct.
With such dangerous propensities it is not to be wondered at that this
species, notwithstanding the vivacity of its manners and the beauty of its
appearance, is scarcely admissible among other birds.