I50 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Family ANATID/E. Genus Anser. 



Sub-family ANSERINE, 



PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 



Anser brachyrhynchus, Baillon. 

 (British : Common autumn and winter migrant.) 

 Single Brooded. Laying season, June. 



Breeding area : North-western Palsearctic region. 

 The Pink-footed Goose is only known to breed in 

 Spitzbergen, and may do so in Franz-Josef Land and 

 Iceland. 



Breeding habits : The Pink-footed Goose appears 

 upon its breeding grounds in May or early June. But 

 little is known of its nesting economy, and observers who 

 have been fortunate enough to obtain its eggs have 

 neglected to describe the habits of the bird. It probably 

 mates for life, and nests in scattered pairs, the flocks 

 which have spent the winter in company separating 

 during the short period of incubation. The nest of this 

 Goose is said to be made on low rocks near the sea ; 

 but Messrs. Evans and Sturge relate that in Spitzbergen 

 some nests seemed to be made in high cliffs "a mile or 

 two from the sea." No description of the nest appears 

 yet to have been published, but the structure is not known 

 to differ from that of allied species. The male is said to 

 keep constant watch near the nest to warn his mate of the 

 approach of danger, and if necessary to defend her. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Pink-footed Goose are four or five in 

 number. They are somewhat smooth in grain, and 

 creamy- white. Average measurement, 3' 15 inches in 

 length by 2T5 inches in breadth. Incubation, performed 

 by the female, lasts twenty-eight da}'s. 



