Geese in many respects resemble Ducks and Swans, but they are less
aquatic in their habits, often keeping at a distance from large bodies
of water and living in moist meadows and marshes, where they find
herbage and various kinds of seeds on which to feed. They swim very
little and seldom dive. They make their nests on the ground, and lay
from six to eight eggs, which are hatched in a little more than a month.
The Wild Goose, though not very elegant in form, has none of the
awkwardness of the Domestic Goose, which is generally supposed to be
descended from it.
There are very few species of Wild Geese compared with the Ducks. The
Grey-lag Goose, the Canada Goose, Bean Goose, White-fronted Bernicle and
the Black-faced Bernicle form the most distinct species.
Although they are seldom seen on the water during the day, Wild Geese go
every evening to the ponds and rivers in their neighborhoods to pass the
night, so that the Wild Goose visits its aquatic haunts when the Wild
Ducks are leaving them.