. The Canadian field-naturalist. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. XXXIX OTTAWA, ONTARIO, DECEMBER, 1925 No. 9 NESTING OF THE CANADA GOOSE IN A TREE By D. W. DAVISON w HILE I was on pa- trol in the central part of Buffalo Na- tional Park, Wain- Alberta, early in found a Canada an old of the wright, May, I Goose sitting upon Hawk's nest in one Aspen trees of a deep coulee. The nest was about twelve feet from the ground. A good photograph was taken of the bird on the nest, but when a closer approach was attempted, the bird flew away to a small pond about a quarter of a mile off. It was possible
. The Canadian field-naturalist. The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. XXXIX OTTAWA, ONTARIO, DECEMBER, 1925 No. 9 NESTING OF THE CANADA GOOSE IN A TREE By D. W. DAVISON w HILE I was on pa- trol in the central part of Buffalo Na- tional Park, Wain- Alberta, early in found a Canada an old of the wright, May, I Goose sitting upon Hawk's nest in one Aspen trees of a deep coulee. The nest was about twelve feet from the ground. A good photograph was taken of the bird on the nest, but when a closer approach was attempted, the bird flew away to a small pond about a quarter of a mile off. It was possible to get a look into the nest by lashing two ladders, and it was seen to contain six eggs just peeking through a lining of fluffy down. I wondered how the young goslings would get down from the tree, and decided to watch as closely as possible to learn what would happen. The nest was visited on Sunday, May 31st, on which occasion the goose flew off honking loudly, circled overhead and returned almost im- mediately to the nest. She was followed by her mate and together they made a terrible fuss, being evidently much annoyed by the disturbance. The ladder was put up again, and it was found that two of the eggs were chipped and that all would probably be hatched in the course of a few hours. Early on the morning of June 1st, I returned and, using a stiff northwest wind as protection, approached the nest from the southeast, lying in wait all forenoon, but the Goose never stirred. The Gander came flying to the nest several times, and at about he discovered the watcher and immediately indulged in a most remarkable exhibition, thought to be meant to warn his mate of the presence of an enemy. He would sweep down within a few feet of my head, honking frantically. As it was seen that further attempts. to useless, I returned to camp and brought back some visitors with me. As the party approached the nest, the mother Goose flew off and the tiny heads of the young birds that were
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