BEAN-GOOSE.
ANSER SEGETUM (J. F. Gmelin).
Anas segetum, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 512 (1788).
Anser segetum, Naum. xi. p. 302; Macg. iv. p. 595; Hewitson,
ii. p. 385; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 265 ; Dresser, vi. p. 363.
Anser arvensis, Naum. xi. p. 277.
Oie vulgaire, French; Saat-Gans, German; Ganso bravo,
Oca, Spanish.
This species is a regular autumnal migrant to this
country, but is less common in the eastern counties of
England than its very close relation the Pink-footed
Goose, whilst in Ireland, according to my own experience,
it is of much more- frequent occurrence than the
latter species, in fact, I do not remember having met
with any of the Pink-footed in that country, wherein I
have shot several and seen thousands of Bean-Geese. I
am inclined to look upon the present bird as the most
maritime of the “ grey” Geese in its habits; but these
habits of course depend greatly upon the weather and
“ questions of supply,” and the Bean-Goose is to be
met with far inland throughout the winter in favoured
localities. It was exceedingly abundant during the
er