GOOSE.

THERE are several species of goose, from one of which our domestic bird is derived. The weight of the wild goose is eight or nine pounds, and the length about two feet nine inches. The bill is large and elevated, of a very pale pink colour; the eye, greyish; the head and neck, ash-colour, mixed with rust-colour; the back, dusky grey; the breast, dull white, clouded with ash-colour. The wing coverts are of different shades of ash-colour; the tail feathers dusky, tipped with white; the legs very pale pink; the claws black.

The wild goose is widely and numerously spread over all the more northerly parts of the globe, whence some flocks of them migrate a long way southward in the winter. These birds are often seen, in flocks of fifty or a hundred, flying at very great heights, and preserving very great regularity in their motions; sometimes forming a straight line, and at others assuming the shape of a wedge, which is supposed to facilitate their progress. Their cry is frequently heard when they are at a very great distance above us. When on the ground, they range themselves in a line, after the manner of cranes; and seem to have descended rather for the sake of rest than for food. Having continued in this situation for an hour two, one of them, with a long loud note, sounds a kind of signal, to which the rest punctually attend, and rising in a group, they pursue their journey with renewed alacrity.

Mr. Rennie relates the following of two birds of this genus: "In the "Environs of London," by Mr. Lysons,

an anecdote is given of the partiality of a Canada goose for a yard dog. The goose could only be separated by force from her canine friend, and after his death fell a sacrifice, by endeavouring to possess that seat in the kennel where she had so long been fostered with the kindest friendship by his predecessor.

A similar attachment we recollect of the China goose, the male of which had been killed by a young pointer. Ponto was most severely punished for this misdemeanor, and had the dead bird tied to his neck. The solitary goose became extremely distressed for the loss of her partner and only companion; and probably having been attracted to the dog's kennel by the sight of her dead mate, she determined to persecute Ponto by her constant attendance and continual vociferations; after a little time, however, a strict amity and friendship subsisted between the incongruous animals: they fed out of the same trough, lived under the same roof, and in the same straw-bed kept each other warm; and when the dog was taken to the field, the inharmonious lamentations of the goose for the absence of her friend were incessant."

The common goose, from which our domestic breed is descended, must have been domesticated many centuries; and it is rather surprising that many other species of the larger birds, especially of the aquatic kinds, have not been brought under the dominion of man.