THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

There was something uncanny about geese, apart from the favour with which they were regarded by witches.  Camden says that in the North Riding of Yorkshire there were certain fields in which the wild geese, vast flocks of them, were wont to settle, falling down suddenly upon the ground, to the great amazement of beholders; their preference for those particular fields being attributed to the sanctity of St. Hilda.

Cuming/Arcadia, 1934