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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
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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
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