GREY-LAG GOOSE.
from forty to fifty grazing on the short grass on the lawn of a shooting-lodge in a lonely strath in
(TwlllllW The pound was perfectly uninclosed towards the moors, and the non-breeding birds {possibly
the young of the previous year) usually put in an appearance on this their favourite feeding-place in
the gloaming. In East Lothian this species, in company with Dean-Geese, somo years ago became so
destructive to the young crops that it was necessary to employ herds with a gun to scare away the
large flocks that alighted on the fields. The birds rested in immense bodies, either on the sands of tho
Firth or out on the water, usually breaking up info smaller parties when coining inland to feed; constant
persecution by day having at length put them on the alert, they remained afloat till after dusk, and
only attempted to make for their feeding-grounds when the herds had withdrawn. In Norfolk a, few of
these Geese arc occasionally shot on ISrcydon flafs in cold weather, and I have now and then observed
them frequenting the hills adjoining some of tho larger broads; they are not, however, so numerous in
this part of the county as several other species. While steaming through Yarmouth roads in February
lss^, an immense string, extending at least a quarter of a mile in length, were noticed making their way
in a southerly direction; their line of flight was held at some elevation, hut the conspicuous grey patch
on the shoulder of their wings left no doubt as to their identity. Large flocks also pass along at sea
a short distance off the Sussex coast, though few, unless in exceedingly severe weather, penetrate into tho
marshes. During the winters from 1S5S to ISfiD I frequently shot over l'evensey Level, but not more
than three or four individuals of this species were obtained. Young birds occasionally reach the south
of England as early as October; in 18S2 one was shot in Shoreham harbour during the second week in
the month. The soft parts were as follows :—Iris haze], with a yellow ring round eye. Beak a livid
yellow with a tinge of flesh-colour; nail dirty white. Legs and feet a livid llosh-tiuge.
After shooting two or three Grey-lags or Pink-footed Geese* on the fens near the Cam one wintry
day early in December 1861, I was informed by the marsh man f who accompanied me that in the
recollection of either his father or grandfather Wild Geese had bred in the neighbourhood. If any nested
in the locality in a wild state they belonged to this species ; the low swampy islands with stunted coverts
of alder, elder, and willow, on which I have occasionally seen their nests in the Highlands, correspond
with certain parts of the univeluiuied slades and wastes that existed even in my own time in the fens
about Waterbeaeh and Wieken.
On two or three occasions I have met with broods, reared from eggs taken in the district, feeding
round farm-buildings in the Northern Highlands, and in one instance remarked the eagerness with which
they responded to the call of the lassie who attended to their wants. Possibly their natural wildness
would show itself iu time, as statements have appeared in print to tho effect that birds bred in confinement,
if possessed of the full use of their wings, would not permit a near approach, though returning
occasionally to the quarters in which they wen- reared.
' Inn iwnMi' to Uy my hand* M 1m jnurnnl ntaflfag to tliiii incident.
+ A well-kngwn cliarai li-r in tho district, who n-nti.il a innall est rut gf An-land and i n never without a trusty letter. Old Juhn, with whom
I enjoyed many a good day's sport, rtmimlicred Bell the time when the feni were free and unreclaimed : and though lie still knew when (he Suipea
or fowl would drop when a night arrrred, wai often unmindful o( the chaugas that had taken pl.icr in the ownership of the laud.
B E A N - G O 0 8 E .
ANSER SEGETUM.
Tnon<][[ it has been asserted by several writers that this species breeds on the British Islands, I have
been unable to discover any evidence tending to confirm the statement. In every instance where I
visited the moors in the remote districts in the Northern Highlands on which these Geese wen? said to
have nested, the birds invariably proved to lie Grey-lags. A gamekeeper who looked after a wild
stretch of moorland on the borders of Caithness and Sutherland, declared that several pairs remained
during the summer in the vicinity of some of tho larger lochs in both counties, and the man resolutely
refused to be convinced as to tbu species even after I had carefully examined every bird he pointed
out through the glasses. During my residence iu East Lothian, Bean-Geese frequented the shores
of the Firth of Forth about Aherlady Bay, and also at feeditig-time proceeded inland on to the cultivated
ground near Dirletoti, Gnllane, and North Berwick. The large flocks of these birds and Grey-lags
proved so destructive to the young corn, that it became necessary to employ herds to keep them from
the erops. They take but little nuliee of the labourers while at work; but, though all appear intent
on searching for food, the slightest sign of danger is certain to attract the attention of the sentinel
on duty.
Early in January 1S61, while living in that district, 1 was proceeding one evening to dine with a
neighbouring farmer when, as I bnagined in the gloaming, a large flock of sheep were seen advancing
over a field of young corn. Well aware that they bad no business there, I went eautiou-ly round at the
back of the hedge to learn, if possible, where they were breaking through, and on looking river was
surprised to discover tho flock of sheep transformed into about five hundred wild Geese. I was totally
unprepared at the moment to fire a heavy tea-bore breech-loader I carried; but before they got out of
range I succeeded in bringing down two and wounding another, which was captured alive by a sheepdog
the following day. nad I known the birds were fhere, at least ten or a dozen must have been
bagged, as they rose on wing so closely packed. Tho two killed wero both of this species, though the
third, which I did not see myself, appeared, from the description given by the shepherd into whose hands
it fell, to he a Grey-lag Goose. I have seen these birds particularly numerous during some winters in the
grass-marshes in the east of Norfolk; in this locality, the water-dykes being sullieiently w ide lo Innavigable
by a small punt, excellent sport was occasionally obtained. 1 noticed that the birds, if feeding
out of range in the centre of some of the pieces, might now and then be driven by men stationed on
the marsh-wall; they soon, however, became aware of this stratagem and sought safety in flight on
the first signs of danger. When the weather remains open and the supply of food is plentiful, they
often attain a great weight—a dozcu I bagged on the 27th of December, 1871, on the Holmes Marshes"
near lleigham Sounds averaging over eight and a half pounds each, the heaviest gander just turning the