Transcriber’s Note:
Inconsistent hyphenation, capitalization, and spelling in the original
document have been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been
corrected.
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
The following inconsistencies were noted and retained:
Grous and Grouse
John Bullow and John Bulow
Ingalls and Ingals
Lehman and Leehman
lents and lints
Magdaleine and Magdeleine Islands
oppossum and opossum
waggons and wagons
Schuylkill and Schuylkil
arcuato-declinate and arcuate-declinate
cæca and cœca
Macculloch and M’Culloch
The following are possible errors, but retained:
unrol
“at the height of fifty years or more”
John Quincey Adams
Daniel Boon
“The matin calls”
Persimons
pork-rhind
p. 487 of Vol. II should possibly be page 435 of that volume.
The Errata on page 632 have been corrected in the text.
Download Volume 1 at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56989.
Download Volume 2 at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39979.
ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY.
ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY,
OR AN ACCOUNT OF THE HABITS OF THE
BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
ACCOMPANIED BY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OBJECTS REPRESENTED
IN THE WORK ENTITLED
THE BIRDS OF AMERICA,
AND INTERSPERSED WITH DELINEATIONS OF AMERICAN
SCENERY AND MANNERS.
BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, F.R.SS.L. & E.
FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN AND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF LONDON;
MEMBER OF THE LYCEUM OF NEW YORK, OF THE NATURAL HISTORY
SOCIETY OF PARIS, THE WERNERIAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
OF EDINBURGH; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF NATURAL
HISTORY OF MANCHESTER, AND OF THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF
PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE; MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
AT PHILADELPHIA, OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES OF BOSTON,
OF CHARLESTON IN SOUTH CAROLINA, &C. &C.
Vol. III
EDINBURGH:
ADAM & CHARLES BLACK, EDINBURGH;
LONGMAN, REES, BROWN, GREEN & LONGMAN, LONDON; R.
HAVELL, ENGRAVER, 77. OXFORD STREET, LONDON; THOMAS
SOWLER, MANCHESTER; MRS ROBINSON, LEEDS; ALEXANDER HILL,
EDINBURGH; J. HENRY BEILBY, BIRMINGHAM; E. CHARNLEY,
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE; AND GEORGE SMITH, LIVERPOOL.
MDCCCXXXV.
PRINTED BY NEILL & Co. Old Fishmarket, Edinburgh.
INTRODUCTION.
Ten years have now elapsed since the first number of my Illustrations
of the Birds of America made its appearance. At that period I
calculated that the engravers would take sixteen years in accomplishing
their task; and this I announced in my prospectus, and talked of to
my friends. Of the latter not a single individual seemed to have the
least hope of my success, and several strongly advised me to abandon
my plans, dispose of my drawings, and return to my country. I listened
with attention to all that was urged on the subject, and often felt
deeply depressed, for I was well aware of many of the difficulties
to be surmounted, and perceived that no small sum of money would be
required to defray the necessary expenses. Yet never did I seriously
think of abandoning the cherished object of my hopes. When I delivered
the first drawings to the engraver, I had not a single subscriber.
Those who knew me best called me rash; some wrote to me that they did
not expect to see a second fasciculus; and others seemed to anticipate
the total failure of my enterprise. But my heart was nerved, and
my reliance on that Power, on whom all must depend, brought bright
anticipations of success.
Having made arrangements for meeting the first difficulties, I turned
my attention to the improvement of my drawings, and began to collect
from the pages of my journals the scattered notes which referred
to the habits of the birds represented by them. I worked early and
late, and glad I was to perceive that the more I laboured the more I
improved. I was happy, too, to find, that in general each succeeding
plate was better than its predecessor, and when those who had at first
endeavoured to dissuade me from undertaking so vast an enterprise,
complimented me on my more favourable prospects, I could not but feel
happy. Number after number appeared in regular succession, until at
the end of four years of anxiety, my engraver, Mr HAVELL, presented
me with the First Volume of the Birds of America.
Convinced, from a careful comparison of the plates, that at least
there had been no falling off in the execution, I looked forward with
confidence to the termination of the next four years’ labour. Time
passed on, and I returned from the forests and wilds of the western
world to congratulate my friend HAVELL, just when the last plate of
the second volume was finished.
About that time, a nobleman called upon me with his family, and
requested me to shew them some of the original drawings, which I
did with the more pleasure that my visitors possessed a knowledge
of Ornithology. In the course of our conversation, I was asked how
long it might be until the work should be finished. When I mentioned
eight years more, the nobleman shrugged up his shoulders, and sighing,
said, “I may not see it finished, but my children will, and you may
please to add my name to your list of subscribers.” The young people
exhibited a mingled expression of joy and sorrow, and when I with them
strove to dispel the cloud that seemed to hang over their father’s
mind, he smiled, bade me be sure to see that the whole work should be
punctually delivered, and took his leave. The solemnity of his manner
I could not forget for several days; I often thought that neither
might I see the work completed, but at length I exclaimed “my sons
may.” And now that another volume, both of my Illustrations and of my
Biographies is finished, my trust in Providence is augmented, and I
cannot but hope that myself and my family together may be permitted
to see the completion of my labours.
I have performed no long journey since I last parted from you, and
therefore I have little of personal history to relate to you. I have
spent the greater part of the interval in London and Edinburgh, in
both which cities I have continued to enjoy a social intercourse with
many valued friends. In the former, it has been my good fortune to add
to the list the names of WILLIAM YARRELL, Esq., Dr BELL, Dr BOOTT,
Captain JAMES CLARK ROSS, R. N., and Dr RICHARDSON. From Mr YARRELL
and the two latter gentlemen, both well known to you as intrepid and
successful travellers, I have received much valuable information,
as well as precious specimens of birds and eggs, collected in the
desolate regions of the extreme north. My anxiety to compare my
specimens with those of the Zoological Society of London, induced me
to request permission to do so, which the Council freely accorded.
For this favour I now present my warm acknowledgments to the Noble
EARL of DERBY, the Members of the Council, their amiable Secretary Mr
BENNETT, and to Mr GOULD, who had the kindness to select for me such
specimens as I wanted. My friend Professor JAMESON of Edinburgh has
been equally kind in allowing me the means of comparing specimens.
From America I have received some valuable information, and many
interesting specimens of birds and eggs, for which I am indebted to
the Rev. JOHN BACHMAN, Dr RICHARD HARLAN, Dr GEORGE PARKMAN, EDWARD
HARRIS, Esq. and others.
The number of new species described in the present volume is not
great. Among them, however, you will find the largest true Heron
hitherto discovered in the United States. I have corrected some errors
committed by authors, and have added to our Fauna several species
which, although described by European writers, had not been observed
in America. The habits of many species previously unknown have also
been given in detail.
Having long ago observed, in works on the Birds of the United States,
the omission of the females and the different appearances produced
by the change of season in most water birds, I have represented the
male accompanied by his mate, and, in as many instances as possible,
the young also. The technical descriptions have been given at greater
length than in the former volumes, with the view of preventing
error even in comparing dried skins with either the figures or the
descriptions. I have also given the average measurement of the eggs,
which I regret I had omitted to do in the other volumes; an error
which I purpose to atone for by presenting you, in the last number
of my Illustrations, with figures of all those which I have collected.
The figures in the third volume of my Illustrations amount to one
hundred and eighty-two, and are thus much fewer than those in either
of the preceding volumes. This, however, was rendered necessary by
the comparatively large size of the originals, the aquatic species of
Birds greatly exceeding the terrestrial in this respect. Many of them
in fact are so large that only a single figure could be given, and
that not always in so good an attitude as I could have wished. For
this reason I have sometimes been obliged to give the figure of the
young in a separate plate; and this I shall in a few cases continue
to do, in order to correct the errors of authors respecting certain
species, which I have proved to be merely nominal. Still the number
contained in the three volumes being six hundred and seventy-four,
there are more than two to each species.
The engraving and colouring of the plates of this volume have generally
been considered as much superior even to those of the second. Indeed,
some of my patrons, both in Europe and America, have voluntarily
expressed their conviction of the superiority of these plates. This
is the more gratifying to me, that it proves the unremitted care and
perseverance of Mr HAVELL and his assistants, of whom I mention with
approbation Messrs BLAKE and EDINGTON.
The Ornithology of the United States may be said to have been
commenced by ALEXANDER WILSON, whose premature death prevented him
from completing his labours. It is unnecessary for me to say how
well he performed the task which he had imposed upon himself; for all
naturalists, and many who do not aspire to the name, acknowledge his
great merits. But although he succeeded in observing and obtaining a
very great number of our birds, he left for others many species which
he was unable to procure. These have been sought for with eagerness,
and not without success, by persons who have engaged in the pursuit
with equal ardour. The PRINCE OF MUSIGNANO, full of enthusiasm, having
his judgment matured by long observation, and his mind stored with
useful learning, collected in our woods and prairies, by our great
rivers, and along our extended shores, materials sufficient for four
superb volumes, intended as a continuation of WILSON’s work. THOMAS
NUTTALL, equally learned and enthusiastic, next entered the field.
His Manual of our Birds contains a mass of useful information, and
is for the most part excellent. Many others have, in various ways,
endeavoured to extend our knowledge on this subject; but with the
exception of THOMAS SAY, none have published their discoveries in a
connected form. Dr HARLAN has given to the world an excellent account
of our Mammalia; various works on Mollusca have appeared, and at
present Dr HORLBECK of Charleston is engaged in publishing an account
of our Reptiles.
Along our extended frontiers I have striven to observe and gather
whatever had escaped the notice of the different collectors; and
now, kind Reader, to prove to you that if not so fortunate as I had
wished, I yet have done all that was in my power, I present you with
a third volume of Ornithological Biographies, in which you will find
some account of about sixty species of Water Birds not included in the
works of WILSON. These, at one season or other, are to be met with
along the shores or streams of the United States. Some of them are
certainly very rare, others remarkable in form and habits; but all,
I trust, you will find distinct from each other, and not inaccurately
described.
The difficulties which are to be encountered in studying the habits of
our Water Birds are great. He who follows the feathered inhabitants
of the forests and plains, however rough or tangled the paths may
be, seldom fails to obtain the objects of his pursuit, provided he
be possessed of due enthusiasm and perseverance. The Land Bird flits
from bush to bush, runs before you, and seldom extends its flight
beyond the range of your vision. It is very different with the
Water Bird, which sweeps afar over the wide ocean, hovers above the
surges, or betakes itself for refuge to the inaccessible rocks on the
shore. There, on the smooth sea-beach, you see the lively and active
Sandpiper; on that rugged promontory the Dusky Cormorant; under the
dark shade of yon cypress the Ibis and Heron; above you in the still
air floats the Pelican or the Swan; while far over the angry billows
scour the Fulmar and the Frigate bird. If you endeavour to approach
these birds in their haunts, they betake themselves to flight, and
speed to places where they are secure from your intrusion.
But the scarcer the fruit, the more prized it is; and seldom have I
experienced greater pleasures than when on the Florida Keys, under a
burning sun, after pushing my bark for miles over a soapy flat, I have
striven all day long, tormented by myriads of insects, to procure a
heron new to me, and have at length succeeded in my efforts. And then
how amply are the labours of the naturalist compensated, when, after
observing the wildest and most distrustful birds, in their remote and
almost inaccessible breeding places, he returns from his journeys,
and relates his adventures to an interested and friendly audience.
I look forward to the summer of 1838 with an anxious hope that I may
then be able to present you with the last plate of my Illustrations,
and the concluding volume of my Biographies. To render these volumes
as complete as possible, I intend to undertake a journey to the
southern and western limits of the Union, with the view of obtaining
a more accurate knowledge of the birds of those remote and scarcely
inhabited regions. On this tour I shall be accompanied by my youngest
son, while the rest of my family will remain in Britain, to direct
the progress of my publication.
In concluding these prefatory remarks, I have to inform you that one
of the tail-pieces in my second volume, entitled “A Moose Hunt,” was
communicated to me by my young friend THOMAS LINCOLN of Dennisville
in Maine; and that it was at his particular request, and much against
my wishes, that his name was not mentioned at the time. I have now,
however, judged it proper to make this statement.
JOHN J. AUDUBON.
EDINBURGH, 1st December 1835.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
The Canada Goose, _Anser canadensis_, 1
The Red-throated Diver, _Colymbus septentrionalis_, 20
The Great Red-breasted Rail, _Rallus elegans_, 27
or Fresh-water Marsh-Hen,
The Clapper Rail, or Salt-water _Rallus crepitans_, 33
Marsh-Hen,
The Virginian Rail, _Rallus virginianus_, 41
THE AMERICAN SUN PERCH, 47
The Wood Duck, _Anas Sponsa_, 52
The Booby Gannet, _Sula fusca_, 63
The Esquimaux Curlew, _Numenius borealis_, 69
Wilson’s Plover, _Charadrius Wilsonius_, 73
The Least Bittern, _Ardea exilis_, 77
THE EGGERS OF LABRADOR, 82
The Great Blue Heron, _Ardea Herodias_, 87
The Common American Gull, _Larus zonorhynchus_, 98
The Puffin, _Mormon arcticus_, 105
The Razor-billed Auk, _Alca Torda_, 112
The Hyperborean Phalarope, _Phalaropus hyperboreus_, 118
FISHING IN THE OHIO, 122
The Wood Ibis, _Tantalus Loculator_, 128
The Louisiana Heron, _Ardea ludoviciana_, 136
The Foolish Guillemot, _Uria Troile_, 142
The Black Guillemot, _Uria Grylle_, 148
The Piping Plover, _Charadrius melodus_, 154
THE WRECKERS OF FLORIDA, 158
The Mallard, _Anas Boschas_, 164
The White Ibis, _Ibis alba_, 173
The American Oyster-Catcher, _Hæmatopus palliatus_, 181
The Kittiwake Gull, _Larus tridactylus_, 186
The Kildeer Plover, _Charadrius vociferus_, 191
THE WHITE PERCH AND ITS FAVOURITE BAIT, 197
The Whooping Crane, _Grus americana_, 202
The Pintail Duck, _Anas acuta_, 214
The Green-winged Teal, _Anas Crecca_, 219
The Scaup Duck, _Fuligula Marila_, 226
The Sanderling, _Tringa arenaria_, 231
A RACOON HUNT IN KENTUCKY, 235
The Long-billed Curlew, _Numenius longirostris_, 240
The Hooded Merganser, _Mergus cucullatus_, 246
The Sora Rail, _Rallus carolinus_, 251
The Ring-necked Duck, _Fuligula rufitorques_, 259
The Sooty Tern, _Sterna fuliginosa_, 263
A WILD HORSE, 270
The Night Heron, _Ardea Nycticorax_, 275
The Hudsonian Curlew, _Numenius hudsonicus_, 283
The Great Marbled Godwit, _Limosa Fedoa_, 287
The American Coot, _Fulica americana_, 291
The Roseate Tern, _Sterna Dougallii_, 296
REMINISCENCES OF THOMAS BEWICK, 300
The Great Black-backed Gull, _Larus marinus_, 305
The Snowy Heron, _Ardea candidissima_, 317
The American Snipe, _Scolopax Wilsonii_, 322
The Common Gallinule, _Gallinula Chloropus_, 330
The Large-billed Guillemot, _Uria Brunnichii_, 336
PITTING OF WOLVES, 338
The Eider Duck, _Fuligula mollissima_, 342
The Velvet Duck, _Fuligula fusca_, 354
The Pied-billed Dobchick, _Podiceps carolinensis_, 359
The Tufted Puffin, _Mormon cirrhatus_, 364
The Arctic Tern, _Sterna arctica_, 366
A TOUGH WALK FOR A YOUTH, 371
The Brown Pelican, _Pelecanus fuscus_, 376
The Florida Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax floridanus_, 387
The Pomarine Jager, _Lestris pomarinus_, 396
Wilson’s Phalarope, _Phalaropus Wilsonii_, 400
The Red Phalarope, _Phalaropus fulicarius_, 404
BREAKING UP OF THE ICE, 408
The Reddish Egret, _Ardea rufescens_, 411
The Double-crested Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax dilophus_, 420
The Hudsonian Godwit, _Limosa hudsonica_, 426
The Horned Grebe, _Podiceps cornutus_, 429
The Forked-tailed Petrel, _Thalassidroma Leachii_, 434
A MAPLE-SUGAR CAMP, 438
The Whooping Crane, _Grus americana_, 441
The Tropic Bird, _Phaeton æthereus_, 442
The Curlew Sandpiper, _Tringa subarquata_, 444
The Fulmar Petrel, _Procellaria glacialis_, 446
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper, _Tringa rufescens_, 451
THE OPOSSUM, 454
The Common Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax Carbo_, 458
The Arctic Jager, _Lestris parasiticus_, 470
The American Woodcock, _Scolopax minor_, 474
The Greenshank, _Totanus Glottis_, 483
Wilson’s Petrel, _Thalassidroma Wilsonii_, 486
A LONG CALM AT SEA, 491
The Frigate Pelican, _Tachypetes Aquilus_, 495
Richardson’s Jager, _Lestris Richardsonii_, 503
The Cayenne Tern, _Sterna cayana_, 505
The Semipalmated Snipe, _Totanus semipalmatus_, 510
or Willet,
The Noddy Tern, _Sterna stolida_, 516
STILL BECALMED, 520
The King Duck, _Fuligula spectabilis_, 523
Hutchins’s Goose, _Anser Hutchinsii_, 526
Schinz’s Sandpiper, _Tringa Schinzii_, 529
The Sandwich Tern, _Sterna cantiaca_, 531
The Black Tern, _Sterna nigra_, 535
NATCHEZ IN 1820, 539
The Great White Heron, _Ardea occidentalis_, 542
The White-winged Silvery Gull, _Larus leucopterus_, 553
The Wandering Shearwater, _Puffinus cinereus_, 555
The Purple Sandpiper, _Tringa maritima_, 558
The Forked-tailed Gull, _Larus Sabini_, 561
THE LOST PORTFOLIO, 564
The White-fronted Goose, _Anser albifrons_, 568
The Ivory Gull, _Larus eburneus_, 571
The Yellowshank, _Totanus flavipes_, 573
The Solitary Sandpiper, _Totanus chloropygius_, 576
The Red-backed Sandpiper, _Tringa alpina_, 580
LABRADOR, 584
The Herring Gull, _Larus argentatus_, 588
The Crested Grebe, _Podiceps cristatus_, 595
The Large-billed Puffin, _Mormon glacialis_, 599
The Pectoral Sandpiper, _Tringa pectoralis_, 601
The Manks Shearwater, _Puffinus Anglorum_, 604
GREAT EGG HARBOUR, 606
The Barnacle Goose, _Anser leucopsis_, 609
The Harlequin Duck, _Fuligula histrionica_, 612
The Red-necked Grebe, _Podiceps rubricollis_, 617
The Dusky Petrel, _Puffinus obscurus_, 620
The Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_, 623
REMARKS ON THE FORM OF THE TOES OF BIRDS, 629
ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY.
THE CANADA GOOSE.
_ANSER CANADENSIS_, VIEILL.
PLATE CCI. MALE AND FEMALE.
Although the Canada Goose is considered as a northern species,
the number of individuals that remain at all seasons in the milder
latitudes, and in different portions of the United States, fully
entitles this bird to be looked upon as a permanent resident there.
It is found to breed sparingly at the present day, by many of the
lakes, lagoons, and large streams of our Western Districts, on the
Missouri, the Mississippi, the lower parts of the Ohio, on Lake Erie,
the lakes farther north, and in several large pools situated in the
interior of the eastern parts of the States of Massachusetts and
Maine. As you advance farther toward the east and north, you find it
breeding more abundantly. While on my way to Labrador, I found it in
the Magdeleine Islands, early in June, sitting on its eggs. In the
Island of Anticosti there is a considerable stream, near the borders
of which great numbers are said to be annually reared; and in Labrador
these birds breed in every suitable marshy plain. The greater number
of those which visit us from still more northern regions, return in
the vernal season, like many other species, to the dismal countries
which gave them birth.
Few if any of these birds spend the winter in Nova Scotia, my friend
Mr THOMAS M’CULLOCH having informed me that he never saw one about
Pictou at that period. In spring, as they proceed northward, thousands
are now and then seen passing high in the air; but in autumn, the
flocks are considerably smaller, and fly much lower. During their
spring movements, the principal places at which they stop to wait for
milder days are Bay Chaleur, the Magdeleine Islands, Newfoundland, and
Labrador, at all of which some remain to breed and spend the summer.
The general spring migration of the Canada Goose, may be stated to
commence with the first melting of the snows in our Middle and Western
Districts, or from the 20th of March to the end of April; but the
precise time of its departure is always determined by the advance of
the season, and the vast flocks that winter in the great savannahs
or swampy prairies south-west of the Mississippi, such as exist in
Opellousas, on the borders of the Arkansas River, or in the dismal
“Ever Glades” of the Floridas, are often seen to take their flight, and
steer their course northward, a month earlier than the first of the
above mentioned periods. It is indeed probable that the individuals
of a species most remote from the point at which the greater number
ultimately assemble, commence their flight earlier than those which
have passed the winter in stations nearer to it.
It is my opinion that all the birds of this species, which leave our
States and territories each spring for the distant north, pair before
they depart. This, no doubt, necessarily results from the nature of
their place of summer residence, where the genial season is so short
as scarcely to afford them sufficient time for bringing up their young
and renewing their plumage, before the rigours of advancing winter
force them to commence their flight towards milder countries. This
opinion is founded on the following facts:—I have frequently observed
large flocks of Geese, in ponds, on marshy grounds, or even on dry
sand bars, the mated birds renewing their courtship as early as the
month of January, while the other individuals would be contending or
coquetting for hours every day, until all seemed satisfied with the
choice they had made, after which, although they remained together,
any person could easily perceive that they were careful to keep in
pairs. I have observed also that the older the birds, the shorter
were the preliminaries of their courtship, and that the barren
individuals were altogether insensible to the manifestations of love
and mutual affection that were displayed around them. The bachelors
and old maids, whether in regret, or not caring to be disturbed by
the bustle, quietly moved aside, and lay down on the grass or sand at
some distance from the rest; and whenever the flocks rose on wing,
or betook themselves to the water, these forlorn birds always kept
behind. This mode of preparing for the breeding season has appeared
to me the more remarkable, that, on reaching the place appointed for
their summer residence, the birds of a flock separate in pairs, which
form their nests and rear their young at a considerable distance from
each other.
It is extremely amusing to witness the courtship of the Canada Goose in
all its stages; and let me assure you, reader, that although a Gander
does not strut before his beloved with the pomposity of a Turkey, or
the grace of a Dove, his ways are quite as agreeable to the female of
his choice. I can imagine before me one who has just accomplished the
defeat of another male after a struggle of half an hour or more. He
advances gallantly towards the object of contention, his head scarcely
raised an inch from the ground, his bill open to its full stretch,
his fleshy tongue elevated, his eyes darting fiery glances, and as he
moves he hisses loudly, while the emotion which he experiences, causes
his quills to shake, and his feathers to rustle. Now he is close to
her who in his eyes is all loveliness; his neck bending gracefully in
all directions, passes all round her, and occasionally touches her
body; and as she congratulates him on his victory, and acknowledges
his affection, they move their necks in a hundred curious ways. At
this moment fierce jealousy urges the defeated gander to renew his
efforts to obtain his love; he advances apace, his eye glowing with
the fire of rage; he shakes his broad wings, ruffles up his whole
plumage, and as he rushes on the foe, hisses with the intensity of
anger. The whole flock seems to stand amazed, and opening up a space,
the birds gather round to view the combat. The bold bird who has
been caressing his mate, scarcely deigns to take notice of his foe,
but seems to send a scornful glance towards him. He of the mortified
feelings, however, raises his body, half opens his sinewy wings, and
with a powerful blow, sends forth his defiance. The affront cannot
be borne in the presence of so large a company, nor indeed is there
much disposition to bear it in any circumstances; the blow is returned
with vigour, the aggressor reels for a moment, but he soon recovers,
and now the combat rages. Were the weapons more deadly, feats of
chivalry would now be performed; as it is, thrust and blow succeed
each other like the strokes of hammers driven by sturdy forgers. But
now, the mated gander has caught hold of his antagonist’s head with
his bill; no bull-dog could cling faster to his victim; he squeezes
him with all the energy of rage, lashes him with his powerful wings,
and at length drives him away, spreads out his pinions, runs with
joy to his mate, and fills the air with cries of exultation.
But now, see yonder, not a couple, but half a dozen of ganders are
engaged in battle! Some desperado, it seems, has fallen upon a mated
bird, and several bystanders, as if sensible of the impropriety of
such conduct, rush to the assistance of the wronged one. How they
strive and tug, biting, and striking with their wings! and how their
feathers fly about! Exhausted, abashed, and mortified, the presumptuous
intruder retreats in disgrace;—there he lies almost breathless on
the sand!
Such are the conflicts of these ardent lovers, and so full of courage
and of affection towards their females are they, that the approach of
a male invariably ruffles their tempers as well as their feathers. No
sooner has the goose laid her first egg, than her bold mate stands
almost erect by her side, watching even the rustling sound of the
breeze. The least noise brings from him a sound of anger. Should
he spy a racoon making its way among the grass, he walks up to him
undauntedly, hurls a vigorous blow at him, and drives him instantly
away. Nay I doubt if man himself, if unarmed, would come off unscathed
in such an encounter. The brave gander does more; for, if imminent
danger excite him, he urges his mate to fly off, and resolutely remains
near the nest until he is assured of her safety, when he also 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 of late was 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 a while his affectionate
and patient consort. The lisping sounds of their offspring are heard
through the shell; their little bills have formed a breach in the
inclosing walls; full of life, and bedecked with beauty, they come
forth, with tottering steps and downy covering. Toward the water
they now follow their careful parent, they reach the border of the
stream, their mother already floats on the loved element, one after
another launches forth, and now the flock glides gently along. What
a beautiful sight! Close by the grassy margin, the mother slowly
leads her innocent younglings; to one she shews the seed of the
floating grass, to another points out the crawling slug. Her careful
eye watches the cruel turtle, the garfish, and the pike, that are
lurking for their prey, and, with head inclined, she glances upwards
to the eagle or the gull that are hovering over the water in search
of food. A ferocious bird dashes at her young ones; she instantly
plunges beneath the surface, and, in the twinkling of an eye, her
brood disappear after her; now they are among the thick rushes, with
nothing above water but their little bills. The mother is marching
towards the land, having lisped to her brood in accents so gentle
that none but they and her mate can understand their import, and all
are safely lodged under cover until the disappointed eagle or gull
bears away.
More than six weeks have now elapsed. The down of the goslings,
which was at first soft and tufty, has become coarse and hairlike.
Their wings are edged with quills, and their bodies bristled with
feathers. They have increased in size, and, living in the midst of
abundance, they have become fat, so that on shore they make their
way with difficulty, and as they are yet unable to fly, the greatest
care is required to save them from their numerous enemies. They grow
apace, and now the burning days of August are over. They are able to
fly with ease from one shore to another, and as each successive night
the hoarfrosts cover the country, and the streams are closed over by
the ice, the family joins that in their neighbourhood, which is also
joined by others. At length they spy the advance of a snow-storm,
when the ganders with one accord sound the order for their departure.
After many wide circlings, the flock has risen high in the thin air,
and an hour or more is spent in teaching the young the order in which
they are to move. But now, the host has been marshalled, and off it
starts, shewing, 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; perhaps the parent bird flies for a while by his side
to encourage him. Two, three, or more days elapse before they reach
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 well are they aware that many foes have
been waiting their arrival. Silent all night remains the flock, but
not inactive; with care they betake themselves 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, extend their lines, 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 often arrives in our Western and Middle Districts
as early as the beginning of September, and does not by any means
confine itself to the seashore. Indeed, my opinion is, that for every
hundred seen during the winter along our large bays and estuaries,
as many thousands may be found in the interior of the country,
where they frequent the large ponds, rivers, and wet savannahs.
During my residence in the State of Kentucky, I never spent a winter
without observing immense flocks of these birds, especially in the
neighbourhood of Henderson, where I have killed many hundreds of
them, as well as on the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville, and in the
neighbouring country, which abounds in ponds overgrown with grasses
and various species of Nympheæ, on the seeds of which they greedily
feed. Indeed all the lakes situated within a few miles of the Missouri
and Mississippi, or their tributaries, are still amply supplied with
them from the middle of autumn to the beginning of spring. In these
places, too, I have found them breeding, although sparingly. It seems
to me more than probable, that the species bred abundantly in the
temperate parts of North America before the white population extended
over them. This opinion is founded on the relations of many old and
respectable citizens of our country, and in particular of General
GEORGE CLARK, one of the first settlers on the banks of the Ohio,
who, at a very advanced age, assured me that, fifty years before the
period when our conversation took place (about seventy-five years
from the present time), wild geese were so plentiful at all seasons
of the year, that he was in the habit of having them shot to feed
his soldiers, then garrisoned near Vincennes, in the present State
of Indiana. My father, who travelled down the Ohio shortly after
BRADOCK’s defeat, related the same to me; and I, as well as many
persons now residing at Louisville in Kentucky, well remember that,
twenty-five or thirty years ago, it was quite easy to procure young
Canada Geese in the ponds around. So late as 1819, I have met with
the nests, eggs, and young of this species near Henderson. However,
as I have already said, the greater number remove far north to breed.
I have never heard of an instance of their breeding in the Southern
States. Indeed, so uncongenial to their constitution seems the extreme
heat of these parts to be, that the attempts made to rear them in a
state of domestication very rarely succeed.
The Canada Goose, when it remains with us to breed, begins to form
its nest in March, making choice of some retired place not far from
the water, generally among the rankest grass, and not unfrequently
under a bush. It is carefully formed of dry plants of various kinds,
and is of a large size, flat, and raised to the height of several
inches. Once only did I find a nest elevated above the ground. It
was placed on the stump of a large tree, standing in the centre of a
small pond, about twenty feet high, and contained five eggs. As the
spot was very secluded, I did not disturb the birds, anxious as I
was to see in what manner they should convey the young to the water.
But in this I was disappointed, for, on going to the nest, near the
time at which I expected the process of incubation to terminate, I
had the mortification to find that a racoon, or some other animal,
had destroyed the whole of the eggs, and that the birds had abandoned
the place. The greatest number of eggs which I have found in the
nest of this species was nine, which I think is more by three than
these birds usually lay in a wild state. In the nests of those which
I have had in a domesticated state, I have sometimes counted as many
as eleven, several of them, however, usually proving unproductive.
The eggs measure, on an average, 3-1/2 inches by 2-1/2, are thick
shelled, rather smooth, and of a very dull yellowish-green colour.
The period of incubation is twenty-eight days. They never have more
than one brood in a season, unless their eggs are removed or broken
at an early period.
The young follow their parents to the water a day or two after they
have issued from the egg, but generally return to land to repose in
the sunshine in the evening, and pass the night there under their
mother, who employs all imaginable care to ensure their comfort and
safety, as does her mate, who never leaves her during incubation for
a longer time than is necessary for procuring food, and takes her
place at intervals. Both remain with their brood until the following
spring. It is during the breeding-season that the gander displays
his courage and strength to the greatest advantage. I knew one 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 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.
Always intent on making experiments, I thought of endeavouring to
conciliate this bold son of the waters. For this purpose I always
afterwards took with me several ears of corn, which I shelled, and
threw towards him. It remained untouched for several days; but I
succeeded at last, and before the end of a week both birds fed freely
on the grain even in my sight! I felt much pleasure on this occasion,
and repeating my visit daily, found, that before the eggs were hatched,
they would allow me to approach within a few feet of them, although
they never suffered me to touch them. Whenever I attempted this the
male met my fingers with his bill, and bit me so severely that I gave
it up. The great beauty and courage of the male rendered me desirous
of obtaining possession of him. I had marked the time at which the
young were likely to appear, and on the preceding day I baited with
corn a large coop made of twine, and waited until he should enter.
He walked in, I drew the string, and he was my prisoner. The next
morning the female was about to lead her offspring to the river,
which was distant nearly half a mile, when I caught the whole of the
young birds, and with them the mother too, who came within reach in
attempting to rescue one of her brood, and had them taken home. There
I took a cruel method of preventing their escape, for with a knife
I pinioned each of them on the same side, and turned them loose in
my garden, where I had a small but convenient artificial pond. For
more than a fortnight, both the old birds appeared completely cowed.
Indeed, for some days I felt apprehensive that they would abandon the
care of the young ones. However, with much attention, I succeeded
in rearing the latter by feeding them abundantly with the larvæ of
locusts, which they ate greedily, as well as with corn-meal moistened
with water, and the whole flock, consisting of eleven individuals,
went on prosperously. In December the weather became intensely cold,
and I observed that now and then the gander would spread his wings,
and sound a loud note, to which the female first, and then all the
young ones in succession, would respond, when they would all run as
far as the ground allowed them in a southerly direction, and attempt
to fly off. I kept the whole flock three years. The old pair never
bred while in my possession, but two pairs of the young ones did,
one of them raising three, the other seven. They all bore a special
enmity to dogs, and shewed dislike to cats; but they manifested a
still greater animosity towards an old swan and a wild turkey-cock
which I had. I found them useful in clearing the garden of slugs and
snails; and although they now and then nipped the vegetables, I liked
their company. When I left Henderson, my flock of geese was given
away, and I have not since heard how it has fared with them.
On one of my shooting excursions in the same neighbourhood, I chanced
one day to kill a wild Canada Goose, which, on my return, was sent to
the kitchen. The cook, while dressing it, found in it an egg ready for
being laid, and brought it to me. It was placed under a common hen,
and in due time hatched. Two years afterwards the bird thus raised,
mated with a male of the same species, and produced a brood. This
goose was so gentle that she would suffer any person to caress her,
and would readily feed from the hand. She was smaller than usual,
but in every other respect as perfect as any I have ever seen. At
the period of migration she shewed by her movements less desire to
fly off than any other I have known; but her mate, who had once been
free, did not participate in this apathy.
I have not been able to discover why many of those birds which I have
known to have been reared from the egg, or to have been found when
very young and brought up in captivity, were so averse to reproduce,
unless they were naturally sterile. I have seen several that had been
kept for more than eight years, without ever mating during that period,
while other individuals had young the second spring after their birth.
I have also observed that an impatient male would sometimes abandon
the females of his species, and pay his addresses to a common tame
goose, by which a brood would in due time be brought up, and would
thrive. That this tardiness is not the case in the wild state I feel
pretty confident, for I have observed having broods of their own many
individuals which, by their size, the dulness of their plumage, and
such other marks as are known to the practical ornithologist, I judged
to be not more than fifteen or sixteen months old. I have therefore
thought that in this, as in many other species, a long series of years
is necessary for counteracting the original wild and free nature which
has been given them; and indeed it seems probable that our attempts
to domesticate many species of wild fowls, which would prove useful
to mankind, have often been abandoned in despair, when a few years
more of constant care might have produced the desired effect.
The Canada Goose, although immediately after the full development
of its young it becomes gregarious, does not seem to be fond of
the company of any other species. Thus, whenever the White-fronted
Goose, the Snow Goose, the Brent Goose, or others, alight in the same
ponds, it forces them to keep at a respectful distance; and during
its migrations I have never observed a single bird of any other kind
in its ranks.
The flight of this species of Goose is firm, rather rapid, and capable
of being protracted to a great extent. When once high in the air, they
advance with extreme steadiness and regularity of motion. In rising
from the water or from the ground, they usually run a few feet with
outspread wings; but when suddenly surprised and in full plumage, a
single spring on their broad webbed feet is sufficient to enable them
to get on wing. While travelling to some considerable distance, they
pass through the air at the height of about a mile, steadily following
a direct course towards the point to which they are bound. Their notes
are distinctly heard, and the various changes made in the disposition
of their ranks are easily seen. But although on these occasions they
move with the greatest regularity, yet when they are slowly advancing
from south to north at an early period of the season, they fly much
lower, alight more frequently, and are more likely to be bewildered
by suddenly formed banks of fog, or by passing over cities or arms of
the sea where much shipping may be in sight. On such occasions great
consternation prevails among them, they crowd together in a confused
manner, wheel irregularly, and utter a constant cackling resembling
the sounds from a disconcerted mob. Sometimes the flock separates,
some individuals leave the rest, proceed in a direction contrary to
that in which they came, and after a while, as if quite confused,
sail towards the ground, once alighted on which they appear to become
almost stupified, so as to suffer themselves to be shot with ease,
or even knocked down with sticks. This I have known to take place on
many occasions, besides those of which I have myself been a witness.
Heavy snow-storms also cause them great distress, and in the midst
of them some have been known to fly against beacons and lighthouses,
dashing their heads against the walls in the middle of the day. In the
night they are attracted by the lights of these buildings, and now and
then a whole flock is caught on such occasions. At other times their
migrations northward are suddenly checked by a change of weather,
the approach of which seems to be well known to them, for they will
suddenly wheel and fly back in a southern direction several hundred
miles. In this manner I have known flocks to return to the places
which they had left a fortnight before. Nay even during the winter
months, they are keenly sensible to changes of temperature, flying
north or south in search of feeding-grounds, with so much knowledge
of the future state of the weather, that one may be assured when he
sees them proceeding southward in the evening, that the next morning
will be cold, and _vice versa_.