New-York tribune., 1900-11-25
wild GEESE IN THE BRONX7
a FLOCK FLYING SOUTHWARK VISITS
THE GEOLOGICAL GARDEN. AND SIX
BIRDS ARE CAPTURED

The Geological Garden in Bronx Park has
eW OBJECT of interest in the form of a flock of
nine wild geese, called scientifically Branta
canadensis. These birds were not bought
Neither were they given to the collection by
some enthusiastic citizen anxious to see the in
stituuon grow in attractiveness and scientific
value. The flock, under the leadership of a
handsome gander, came to the park of its own
accord on November Z after a journey of ten
Or twelve days from the Far North where the
climate was becoming tri1e severe. The geese
were discovered by the keeper when he went to
feed the seven geese which have been in the
park for some time.
The park people speculated as to where the
flock came from. They knew at what time of
year the birds usually start for the south, gave
them credit for travelling at the rate of about
two hundred miles a day. and arrived at the
conclusion that the geese from Labrador
There are many specimens of wild geese in cap
uVity. but as many of them bred from
eggs and as others are several generations
moved from the original wild birds. the new
arrivals were looked upon as a prize for the
park At first the men who have charge of the
goose pond feared that the new arrivals would
not remain, and they watched their movements
closely. The beautiful gander led his little flock
all about the pond. but avoided the tame geese
time the visitors might take notion to leave
the park, it was decided to capture them if pos
sible, SO the Dorcas Gazelles' inclosure a giant
cage of the old-fashloned rat-trap pattern,
moved to the pond, and by means of food and
coaXing six of the geese were induced to enter
IL The leader of the flock and two others were
not caught The wings Of the captives
clipped and they were returned to the pond,
where. to the surprise of the keepers, they
Joined the other captivcs and allowed the gan
der leader and his two companions to flock by
themselves. They appeared to have realized
that, having been deprived of their flying pow
ers they had become members of the captive
class and had nothing in common with the
high flyers But the gander leader and his
duced party still on the park pond and show
no desire to leave the place one of Mr.. Hama
days assistants said:
"a sheltered body of water, such as the little
lake is always attractive. and then too, it is
already inhabited by seven Lirds of like kind
six presented by a. b. Frost and the seventh a
pilgrim. No species of wild fowl is so we'll
known this 1t ranges the North Amer
lean continent from the icy waters of the Arc
tic Ocean to the bany shores of the Gulf of
Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Before the vast coptinent thickly popu-
lated they existed in large numbers. but the
of empire and the ready gun have
sadly decimated their ranks. In the spring.
when the reYiving green Of the foliage indicates
approaching summer the geese collect in large
focl1s for the long journey north, migrating
usually at night Shortly after arriving at their
destination the birds begin mating and hiding
in secluded places near still water. The nest,
generally made on the ground, is composed of
sticks and leaves lined with feathers. The