The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-28
WILD GEESE GOING NORTH.
GREAT FLoCKs OF THE BIRDS HUR-
RING FROM THE SOUTH.
Their Number ana Their Haste signs OF n Warm
s~prinE-Course OF tho Birds Across New
England - Crosses Between wild and
pomoatio Geeae = Speed Of Their FllEht.

s~prinr-Course or the Birds Across New
England Crosses Between wild and
Domestic Geese - Speed or Their flight.
NORWICH, March 27.-wild geese arc speeding
northward unusually early and in great focks
They arc at least n week or ten days ahead oil
the season in their great northern flight, so that
tho weather sages arc smilingly positive that
spring is already In the land. At different times
on Monday three flocks swept over this city,
marked like q chain Of winged dots against
tho cloudless heaven, and they were not
80 far aloft but that their shrill cries
were heard distinctly in all parts Of the town.
There were 100 birds in the greatest train, per
fectly aligned in their wonted v.shapod array,
and rs in each of the other focks. On the fol-
lowing day two moro focks passed over the city,
each numbering from as to 80 birds, while from
all parts Of the Nutmeg State come reports daily
Of similar troops hurrying northward.
On Wednesday, at different times, two hocks
whirled across the big farm OF William Conlon,
on the Salem turnpike, two miles to the west of
this city, flying remarkably low, 30 that they
swept just above his %rooftree, and Mr.. Conlon,
standing on his doorstep, readily counted tho
fowls. There were seventy-five in one flock and
moro than 100 birds In tho other. Conlon says
that while he has noted tho migration Of the
birds twice q for moro than twenty years, he
has rarely or never seen them in such great col
umns before. In most seasons, as a rule, tho
number Of fowls in n single flock seldom exceeds
fifty or sixty. Nevertheless. in the spring
two years ago n farmer Of the hill town Of North
Sterling, sixteen miles to the north OF Norwich,
counted more than 200 birds in one magnificent
company. That was the greatest flock, 1t Is be-
lieved, that was ever reported crossing New
England.
II rNp,tnn pNrth In tha unrinp frnp, ttatr tr0R.
ical winter resort, 1t is said, the locks follow the
seacoasts closely. Having reached the scaboard
OF New England, whose giant shoulder is thrust
far eastward into the ocean. they do not deviate
from their straightaway march. but strike d.
rectly northward across tho Eastern States.
Driving along at their accustomed terrific gait
estimated by good judges to be from 100 to 100
miles an hour-it takes them less than thirty
the great elevation they usually travel they
overlook whole counties. discerning fifty
% shaSs HT ,Ssir the eonSss1 Mo1eo by wh di5 they
fly uninterruptedly and at a uniform speed
1t will be readily seen that they might easily
and the bleak wilds OF Labrador in less than the
TN time oo between Hy sun up ana Thdt sun x down ,hn,r But they
Stop %dT ny resting ss { or feed fesdin %AT places ees,f fresh ssho and
salt water ponds, bayous. and rivers. nil along
their continental route. from the Southern jun
night in some Of them, In others several days,
perhaps, or even weeks. In one instance, a
stopped for the NIGHT at a dark little Winding ding
pond among the hills a few miles south Of this city.
which is rich in wild fowl food, and they liked It
SO well they spent the whole spring and summer
and part Of the autumn there, splashing about
its reedy shores or cavorting about its black,
country sportsmen or farm lads fired into tho
dallyinR sojourners, killing or wounding a num-
Der Of them, but still they, fingered; Early in
wodge-shaped double column, and started SOUTH
ward as buoyantly and d%utifully as 4 they had
flesh pots without ever having passed beyond
the northern frontier OF the Nutmeg State.
Especially fond are wild geese of the string of
ern seaboard OF Rhode Island. Here they are to
be found all the season in careless revels. dip
along the brink Of tho little lakes. Here tho
veterans Of tho SHOTGUN and rifle, particularly
b %s%ee Ssn ot them fss f indsfa,iRsb STe sns S %it ih es SGSSe
success: Most Of the hunting in this region is
done with a Winchester or Martin rifle. and so
that they readily pink a wild goose in The head at
a distance of from 200 to 800 yards, One hunter
noted Rhode Island goose hunter. rarely fails to
bag from eight to ten or fifteen Of the big birds
In the rude and rugged old Connecticut tur.
key.brecding town Of North stonington. Just
across the Rhode Island line. it is the practice
their farmhouse doors. a 1o.bore brecchioader
In hand. with the intent to get a long-range
shot now and then at a fog-bcwildered or low
flying flock Of geese. 1t is not the wish OF these
sportsmen to kill their game outright, for they
are actuated by an Interior purpose. not the
out OF the clouds. They by far prefer to wing
3 goose. a handsome. full-grown gander pre-
fsrred, or otherwise cripple It temporarily only;
among their domestic geese for breeding pur.
poses. 1t is the theory Of North Stonington
licious and toothsomc fowl than a goose that is
the product OF cross breeding between IA wild
this kind are often met with in fowl yards in
The hill towns of the Nutmeg State. and II is easy
To- distinguish them. for the reason that the half
Wild bird has a dark brown or ,grayish back, a
fercer. dark yisage. and peculiar pouch OF flap
a black; y~ellowish hue above its benk.
But a wild goose that has been waylaid in the
way noted and partly domesticated never en-
tirely loses its original wild nature or Its fierce
nomadic instinct. and its owner knows very well
that II he %neglccts to keep its pinions clipped or
it will never forego an opportunity. to
-eioin its free. wild companions. Indeed, In not
!, cherished wild gander or two precisely in the
way indicated, even after the birds had been ton
,rtst q ~, Their hrt farm sras yards i for several years; The
armer's vigilance has been relaxed seems to be as
anne and contented as the rest OF the waddling
ng IN April. just let q band OF Its old-timc, free
footing, care-free, wild companions come stream.
whole region with their shrill, stirring music.
neck and tawny crest: Tonki honki It
above, and cranes its twisted neck and head
Instantly the rushing file above bolts
lbruptly. hearkening to the imploring signal Of a
companion in captivity. and the next instant,
wifi as the wind, the whole flock plunges down
yard with savage swoop. About the farm
tead they wheel, and swoop In seeming con-
AIMED bird leaps into the air, spreading its
'road wings. and a moment later. ms II, guided
" an ,unforRotten lesson OF discipline or mill
airy orderliness, takes its proper place in the
lying column, and the whole flock y Off again
Il once. driving nOrtlWa rd in unhrnhpp arrav
Not only are the focks Of migrating geese un-
Usually large this spring. but 1t Is noted, fur
hermore. that they nre travelling northward at
furious pace. n fact. observers say. betokening
N early breaking upof winter In extreme north.
rn wilds. 1t has been remarked, too. that there
re many wounded birds in the passing files.
Who lag behind from time to time or plunge on
n a zigzag track. They have been smittcn, un-
by the country hunters.
SHARK HOOKS.