The Osceola times., 1875-04-24
Wild Geese in the West.

Mucn cunning IS exhibited by
these birds in localities where they
are frequently disturbed. We have
often seen them in the great
swamps Of the Bureau Valley.
along the Illinois, c,me in about
dark, when 1t was just too late to
draw sight, noiselessIy stceling
along 80 as 10 AVOID random shot
Of the hunter returning TO camp
alter y bard days work. SO ut.
tached are they to their old
grounds, and so liable to be pursu.
ed at night by reckless adventur.
ers, that after few warnings, they
battle the most intelligent. Should
their line of entry be discovered
tio-i,Ight ~ they come across the
EiSnt, II you wat~"y --ias.-4
the vibration of their wings Us they
pass over the timbe TO the north;
in their approach to the old rico
pond, or open water of the big
slough. Upon all other occasions,
and also when disturbed, they ex-
niblt their usual propensity TO in.
dulge IN gable and goose talk.
The most prominent among the
varie les in the West, is the Cana
da goose. The next, and existing
in great numbers, IL the white
tronted or laughing goose, called
by many the "brent." Oi the reg.
u.ar goose we have but few. We
killed one out OF IL flock in the Hi.
nois river, u 1862, on . sand bar,
aud believe it is the only flock We
ever saw IN that valley. The brent
goose Is about halt the size Of the
Canada variety, and is about two.
thirds as large as the white front.
ed, notified, or laughing goose.
b IT in the absence OF The regular
brent goose, the mot,led bird,
known as ihe laughing goose, car
ries the name OF brent. And brent
il IA, 80 far as the average shooter
is ,niormed; Tor few Of them have
ever seen brent goose, and this 10
the only bird, which, to their
knowledge ever bore the name.
These same fellows call a par.
fridge n pheasant. and on English
snipe u wVod.cock.
1t Is amusing to watch flock OF
laughing geese AS they approach u
iavorite feeding ground VI resting
place. They core first III the reg.
u'ur acute line OF fight. Suddenly
they break ranks, and with one gs-
cord tho whole Hock begin u
series OF evolutions, tumbling and
turning high IN the mir, and
ard then DEFENDING ~ most com.
ical aud irregular manner, 10 the
OF the observer, all tho
while INDUCING I'M jabber moro
resembling the merry laughter OF y
bevy Of school girls than anything
else, from which peculiarly they
receive their name. As u table
bird it is highly esteemed. and 10
preIelred to the Canads
goose. In point of number it ex.
cecds the latter in this locality,
while in other parts the ratio is rs-
versed.
They visit the West in March
and April on their regular migra-
ton 10 the lakes and bays VI
Minnesota, the British
and Labrador, remain
with us sometimes as late US May
in small attachments. Many ARE
killed before they reach their
Northern LreediI & gr' LIDS. After
raising the usual brood, and replen-
ishIng their thinned ranks, they
gather tor the autumnal return
flight, and in October we see them
vending their way to their old ard
Iavorits haunts, until the cold
drives them sou,hward 10
the great marshes OF rkansas, aud
lower Mississippi. As they pass
North in March, generally beivre
u southcrIy gale, which carries
them along with little apparent ef-
fort, their c"mirg is welcomed AZ
II harbinger OF returning spring.
They come, too, in large numbers,
accompanied by all the usual Va.
rie,ies of Waterfowl in even great.