GEESE.
Geese in many respects resemble Ducks and Swans, but they are less aquatic in their habits, often keeping at a distance from large bodies of water and living in moist meadows and marshes, where they find herbage and various kinds of seeds on which to feed. They swim very little and seldom dive. They make their nests on the ground, and lay from six to eight eggs, which are hatched in a little more than a month.
The Wild Goose, though not very elegant in form, has none of the awkwardness of the Domestic Goose, which is generally supposed to be descended from it.
There are very few species of Wild Geese compared with the Ducks. The Grey-lag Goose, the Canada Goose, Bean Goose, White-fronted Bernicle and the Black-faced Bernicle form the most distinct species.
Although they are seldom seen on the water during the day, Wild Geese go every evening to the ponds and rivers in their neighborhoods to pass the night, so that the Wild Goose visits its aquatic haunts when the Wild Ducks are leaving them.
SWANS.
BLACK NECKED SWANS.
Just as the Goose has long been the symbol of awkwardness and stupidity, so the Swan has been an object of admiration in all ages for its noble proportions, the graceful curve of its neck and its small and shapely head. On the water it is the picture of elegant ease. It swims apparently without effort and with great rapidity. Different species are found in America, Europe and Asia, and in Australia a black Swan is very abundant.
In the wild state it lives on lakes, rivers and sea-coasts of both hemispheres, feeding on such seeds, leaves, roots, water-insects, Frogs and Worms as come in its way. In its domestic state, it is the charm and ornament of our lakes and rivers; but, except in a few instances, it is only kept for show, as it is jealous and cruel in disposition and not friendly with domestic fowls.