For a moment the Canada geese were visible, a line of black specks crossing the face of the moon. They were heading northward, toward their distant nesting grounds near Hudson Bay. The leader of the flock was Honker, a big gander. Flying a few feet behind them was his mate Branta.

In this accurate and exciting account of a year in Honker's life, Robert McClung describes how Canada geese raise their young and tells of the many hazards they face during migration. Honker and his flock traveled on the Mississippi flyway, and perhaps the most dangerous part of the year for them was their autumn flight to a wintering area in the southern United States. Flying an established route, the flock passed hunters with loaded guns along much of the way.

The work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also part of Honker's story, and Mr. McClung dramatically shows why waterfowl need such help for their survival. Profusely illustrated with beautiful pictures by Bob Hines, this book will be important for all young bird lovers.

From the dust jacket