74 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



as many as five hundred being seen on the wing at a time. 

 When all the stubble has been gleaned the whole assembly 

 seems to disband, and by the end of October large flocks 

 become exceptional. Marshes and meadows are now the 

 chief haunt of the Grey Lag, and, should the weather be 

 severe, potato fields are frequented. 



When March is over the younger birds, which do not 

 breed, may often be seen on the ploughed land, frequently 

 in company with Bernacle Geese [Bernicla leucopsis). At 

 this period they become very tame, and will often allow one 

 within fifteen to twenty yards without taking any apparent 

 notice. When the young clover appears it is greedily 

 devoured. 



Concerning the breeding of the Grey Lag in North 

 Uist, I must say it is decidedly decreasing. Every year, 

 when the old birds are moulting and the young unable 

 to fly, the salt water is taken to readily. This fact is 

 unfortunate, as the birds then fall an easy prey to fishermen 

 and even to organised parties. And one cannot wholly 

 blame the hunters ; after all, their interests are at stake. 

 The crofters' crops are poor enough without geese ; with 

 them they are often worthless, and these dark deeds wrought 

 in the Sound of Harris are therefore excusable. 



With regard to the weight of this Goose I may state that 

 the average taken from nearly three hundred birds which 

 I have weighed was 7 lbs. 61 oz. Those shot during the 

 period from November to February average 7 lbs. 13 oz. 

 The immature birds killed in September seldom weighed 

 over 6 lbs. 8 oz. Out of the above mentioned only three 

 birds were 10 lbs. or over. 



There seems to be considerable doubt as to the colora- 

 tion of the soft parts, and most conflicting statements are 

 often made. These actually are : Bill, orange yellow, 

 darker towards base, and nail white. Feet and legs, flesh 

 colour, with claws white. Most mistakes concerning the 

 above must surely be made by delayed examination, or 

 by taxidermists varnishing instead of painting specimens 

 sent them. 



