ANATID^. 



397 





THE GREY LACx-GOOSE. 



Anser cinereus, Meyer. 



This species is generally supposed to be the principal source from 

 which our domestic race has sprung, and, according to Prof. Skeat, 

 the trivial name indicates that it is the species of ' Grey ' Goose which 

 in former days lagged behind to breed in our fens, when its congeners 

 had betaken themselves to more northerly regions ; Mr. Harting, 

 however, suggests that "lag" is derived from "leag" or "lea," and 

 means " field-" (goose) as distinctive from the '•' rut-" or root-eating 

 species, such as the Brent. Nestlings were taken in the Cambridge- 

 shire fens up to 1773, and breeding continued in Lincolnshire up to 

 the early part of this century ; but this species is no w rare along the east 

 coast, while of very irregular occurrence in the south and west, even 

 in winter. Even in the Solway district and throughout the greater 

 part of Scotland it is seldom met with ; but it still breeds, though in 

 rapidly decreasing numbers, in Ross, Caithness, Sutherland, and, 

 more abundantly, in the Hebrides, especially on the outer islands ; 

 being the only kind of Wild Goose which nests in Scotland. 

 To the Orkneys and Shetlands it is only an accidental visitor. In 

 Ireland, a colony of semi-domesticated birds has for many years 

 been resident on the lake at Castle Coole (Lord Belmore's), and 

 from autumn till late spring some numbers are to be found, chiefly 



