1. The goose and the duck are much alike in looks and ways. The legs of the goose are longer, so that it stands higher and can walk better on land. 2. The goose is larger than the duck, its neck longer, and its wings broader. Its feet are webbed, so that it can swim well in the water. [Illustration] 3. Its bill is broad and more pointed than that of a duck. Its wings are very strong, and it is able to fly a great distance without rest. 4. When in the water it does not dive like the duck, but it thrusts its bill down into the water or mud the length of its long neck. 5. The feathers of the goose are white or gray, and very light and soft, and are used for making beds and pillows. Not a great while ago pens were made of the quills that come out of the wings of the goose, and everybody who wrote used them. 6. Geese make their nests on the ground, where the old mother goose lays about a dozen eggs before she begins to sit. These eggs are twice the size of hens' eggs. 7. The goslings are covered with a thick coat of down, and are able to run on the land or swim in the water when they first come out of the shell. 8. The goose and the gander together take good care of their goslings. When anything comes near, they stretch out their necks and give a loud hiss. 9. Should a strange dog venture too near, they will take hold of him with their bills and beat him with their wings until he is glad to get away. [Illustration] LESSON VIII. _HOW GEESE BEHAVE._ [Illustration] 1. The feathers of the goose are of great value. They are plucked out three or four times a year, at times when the weather is warm and fair. 2. The goose likes cold water. Great flocks of wild geese live in the swamps and lakes in the cold northern regions, and we can see them flying overhead in the spring and fall. 3. A miller once had a flock of geese, and he lost them all except one old goose, that for a long time swam round alone on the mill-pond. 4. Now, the miller's wife placed a number of duck's eggs under a hen, and, as soon as they were hatched, the ducklings ran to the water. 5. The old goose, seeing the fright and flurry of the hen, sailed up with a noisy gabble, and took the ducklings in charge, and swam about with them. 6. When they were tired, she led them to the shore and gave them back to the care of the hen, who, to her great joy, found that they were all safe and sound. 7. The next day down came the ducklings to the pond, with the hen fussing and fretting as before. The goose was waiting near the shore. 8. When the ducklings had taken to the water, the hen, to get near them, flew upon the back of the goose, and the two sailed up and down the pond after the ducklings. 9. So, day after day, away sailed the ducklings, and close behind them came the mother hen, now quite at her ease on the back of the friendly goose, watching her gay little brood.