New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-02

When the irresistible migratory impulse seiZes
upon the bird world in the fall, by night or day.
sngly in fOcks thousands pass southwark
over our heads. Far TO the north such feel
ing came 20 a small flock Of wild geese. and.
called together by the old gander. they all left
OFF nbblng the frost touched grass and. start
ing together. swung with strong. steady wing
heats into the V-shape the best arrangement
or long flights. All night they flew. paced
by their leader. When dawn came they dropped
nearer to earth and tried to each a glimpse
of safe feeding ground for the day. Strange
lines and lights and evil clouds of smoke were
beneath them, but suddenly a patch of green
appeared. and. as the flock neared it. ponds
wee and the calls OF their kind
Nere heard. The leader called and
severed. and unhesitatingly the flock circled
twice and sloped gently to the water. A
irrful land of food was found-not flowing
NTH milk and honey. but with grain which
grew. not n neagre, single grain heads. but in
masses.
Ia truth this flock Of wild geese had settled
n New-York City itself. in the geological Park,
and not only did the geese feed and rest, but re-
manned two days They were beautiful birds.
glossy and clear eyed The leader never re-
laxed his vigilance for instant; his long thin
n k and white neck patch held high, he moved
easily round and round his charges.
large wire cage carried to the waters
edge ana captive birds were placed in it. Then
all the grain troughs were put in and the trap
door dXed. For two days the leader kept his
dock away from il but finally, seeing all the
park geese feeding there unframed he deter
mined 90 risk it, Such meals of grain were
W"I worth some danger. Slowly, cautiously. he
ied the ~ly TO the inclosure, and when nothing
alarming happened, all began 10 feed. At a
signal the Trap was sprung. but. quickly as the
heavy door fell, the old gander quicker
hash of brown and white. dash Of spray. and
ne. with two members of his flock. flying
away 1T Top speed. The others were prisoners.
and after their wings were clipped they were
released aud the trap reset.
When the sander heard the honks OF the cap
tVe geese. he turned ana settled at the further
md of the pond lhe trapped geese half flew
half swan TO their leader. After several min
utes OF hOnking. he gave the usual signal and all
started as one bird. The old gander and the
Two with unclipped wings rose at once. while the
rest beat along the water below. Again the
trio returned and again the leader sgnaed 4
start After several trials the clipped geese at
asst realized that they could not keep up with |
he others. ana joined the flock of park gees.
lespite all thu efforts Of their leader To urge !
Them To u"W attempts. He remained faithful +
ana fingered Tor several days more. then cNtf! 4
ais cunning failed him-or do dare say he /
vent into the. trap knowingly and he was
auSht Wttn one ui his companions. The other /
lew off ana never returned.
Since then the finest flock Of wild geese in /
4ptIvity has rutEcd over the Park diving for |
"A Id rio" ~ summcr treadug the SNOW into |
ard -pack vd sleeping spots in winter, and !
sic" year listening with strained attention |
Or The monk. honk.' of their passing fellows.