Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-11-11
GEESE ON THE MARCH.


Thoir Marching rnwcr- Well known to
the Trad" For Centuries.
There are times when wild geese,
SOmC of the strongest fliCrS among
the large birds, travel great dis
tanCcS on foot. sometimes to accom-
pany their young, sometimes be-
cause they are melting. Mr.. Sec
hohm witnessed the passing of
goose column when exploring the
Tundra. They came on in column,
the old birds leading, and after
crossing the arctic moorland de-
seconded to the river and took the
water III the same order. Largo,
| heavy birds like geese could not
possibly march for long distances
unless their method and order of
march were carefully thought out
That the average Intelligence Of
these birds isvcry high is generally
acknowledged. but is nowhere so
we'll shown rs when they are trav-
| cling on foot. In the first place,
|
his own pace, but that pace is dclib-
crate. They walk i'll column, but the
ranks are often ten geese wide. No
goose touches or jOstles his neigh
| Dor, and all tho heads are carried
thigh, so as to get the maximum Of
march the column halts and feeds,
| spreading out in lines for this pur-
pose, but falling in ut n proper sig
nal from the leaders.
The writer has often watched
these proceedings when large flock
of geese has been crossing Port
meadow, the wild, green fiat above
Oxford. But their marching powers
have been well known in the
trade for centuries, and are still
made use of abroad. At Antwerp in
January II flock of 5000 geese were
seen to walk along the quay, gently
urged by some Flemish gooseberries.
They were halted opposite to an
English steamer bound for Ear-
witch, and then crossed three abreast
on a plank with low canvas sides
on to the steamer. They then walked
along the deck, descended u steep
sloping plank, and marched along
the lower deck into an Enclosure,
where they remained during the
crossing. AT Harwich they were
driven up the plank to the upper
deck, off the ship and into the pens,
where it is to be feared most of
them were killed for market. This
is only Il survival of the old system
by which the Norfolk geese were
driven up to London in thousands
without losing condition. 1t paid
better before the days of railways
to let the geese transport them
selves.
Tho largest drove mentioned was
ono of 5000, which went from Suf-
folk, through Chelmsford and on
to London. AS "a cart" not carts,
was provided to pick up the lame
ones the number who "fen out"
must have been surprisingly small.
1t may be doubted whether 5000
creatures of any other species could
have made the journey of 100 miles
with 30 little trouble. They took
their journey easily, marching ten
miles n day. The ordinary days
march of tho German army Is IS
miles, only three miles better than
the geese. But these are the cham
pion pedestrians of all birds When
Lord Oxford bet the Marquis OF
Queensberry that drove of Suffolk
geese would beat an equal number
of turkeys in IL walk in London, the
geese won by As hours. London
Many fishing schooner that sails
out Of Gloucester with her ensign
fiuttering gayly from the main
truck" comes in by Cape Ann, on
her return from the banks, with
her colors at half mast. A dory or
two lost in the fog or run down in
thick weather by an ocean gray.
hound that no more felt the collision
than if it crushed an eggshell-at
all events, couple of men or more
for Davy Jones locker-such is only
100 Uittoi. tiho taiG brought back from
tn" bshing grounds TO Gloucester,
our chief fishing port Tears at
parting, weeks of anxious suspense,
and when the ship comes home tears
again for lost husband, son or
brother - that story is common
enough on Massachusetts bay. And
even if neighbors say, Don't cry,
dearie; perhaps some ship has
picked him up and he'll come back
to you" the hope is short lived.
Lost at sea" is familiar line in
the deaf n Colunns of tho Glonoas+a,.