{Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.) 



8R =d 



The Scottish Naturalist 



No. 76.] 



1918 



[April. 



THE GREY LAG GOOSE IN NORTH UIST. 



By Fred. S. Beveridge, Lieut., 3rd Royal Scots. 



The following notes on the Grey Lag Goose (Anser cinereus) 

 chiefly concern habits, coloration, and breeding of the 

 species. The facts mentioned have been brought before 

 my notice during some ten years in which I have carefully 

 studied this bird in North Uist. 



Every year towards the end of August, when the oats 

 have begun to ripen, the Geese appear in considerable 

 flocks, select the most convenient field, and proceed to 

 demolish it with great rapidity. If the grain be not low 

 enough for the bird when its neck is fully extended, it will 

 be beaten to the ground, two methods being employed : 

 (1) by rising in small flocks and landing again, close 

 together, in some chosen spot, the force and weight of 

 their descent crushing it down ; (2) individually using their 

 wings flail-like to crush the surrounding stalks. During the 

 day they may be seen resting on some convenient sandspit, 

 or on the open moor. As dusk falls they fly to their 

 feeding grounds, but leave them before dawn to perform 

 ablutions at some loch hard by ; this done they return once 

 more to the chosen field as day breaks. Towards the end 

 of September these flocks are reinforced by newcomers, 

 76 K 



