The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-04-23


The plumage of the breast is closely set
and tough, and next to the skin is a
closely woven coat of fur, which further
stops the lead. 1t often happens that
when a gun has been well held on a
goose coming in at a height of fifty
yards the two discharges are followed
by two distinct thuds from the impact
of the shot and then two drifting clouds
OF feathers cut from the bird in HAND
| fuls. The bird itself, however, sails on,
only stung, or, in many cases, not even
panied, the pellets having failed to
reach the skin. For this reason wise
man in an island blind will place him
self, if possible, so that the birds will
be taken as they are going from him.
In this position the shot finds its way
| through the plumage without trouble,
and wound in the rear is much more
effective than one in the heavy meat of
the breast.
The speed of the wild goose, even in
casual flight, is greatly underestimated
| by the ordinary gunner. 1t Is difficult
to calculate this speed, because the fowl
is flying between the observer and The
sky and there is no stationary object by
from which to judge the momentum.
Along the Mississippi, however, every
island has its clumps Of willows, and it
is surprising to see how rapidly a goose
~" drifts above the tops Of these trees
The wing motion is slow and heavy,
even awkward, and the stretched-out
| neck and legs make the goose ungainly
in flight. Each beat of the hugs PIN
IONS however, sends it forward with
great force. Travelling at fifty yards
above the eearth and following the
bends of the stream in a search for a
promising feeding place, the geese will
fly sixty-five miles an hour, or faster
than the fastest express train. Under
certain conditions this rate will be rails
ed to seventy-f1ve or even eighty miles
an hour. Without a strong favorlng
wind, eighty miles is about the goose
limit
There is never any loafing in the prog
ress of flock. 1t maintains an even
speed until just over the portion of the
river selected for it's morning feed, when
it will circle several times, gradually
descending, until finally, with low
squawk of satisfaction, each member
will pitch with uplifted wings. The
goose is very deliberate in alighting be-
cause of it's weight. If 1t came down
swiftly it would strike It's body upon
the ground, it's legs not being strong
enough to break the fall.
There are among wild geese certain
ganders of solitary character They
make the journey from the south alone,
and it is believed that they remain
alone through the breeding season.
These birds are always Of great age.
1t is not known how long the wild
goose will live, but 1t is thought that It's
tenure Of life is as great as that of the
tame goose, which often goes to more
than fifty years. The solitary ganders,
"rogues" they are called by hunters,
stroll along from island to island often
flying at rate not greater than thirty
miles an hour, but generally out Of
gdnshot, Few are killed. They scorn
decoys, and their long experience has
taught them to beware Of hunters. They
If it is looking for the first feeding
ground of the day it will be flying low
and carefully scanning the banks. 1t
will make considerable noise, at least
the leading male will make much noise,
with constant honkings of warning,
command or entreaty to his followers.
The safety Of the flock depends entirely
upon his vision and sagacity, and he
would do better If he attended more
strictly to sentry duty. Seeing them
coming, the hunter endeavors to ascer-
tain from their behavior whether or not
they have seen the half dozen silhouette
decoys set out thirty yards from his
blind. with, with their sides turned
down stream. If they show no DISPOSE
ton to come lower or to turn in he
breathes a cautious. mild honk- honk of
invitation. The birds may be half
mile from him, but they will hear him