398 GREY LAG-GOOSE. 



in the southern and western counties, though the species is less local 

 than is generally supposed. There can, however, be little doubt 

 that the majority go past our islands, to the south of Europe. 



Though now only a visitor to the Faeroes, the Grey Lag-Goose 

 breeds in the south of Iceland, and is tolerably numerous during 

 summer in Scandinavia ; also in Russia as far south as the Caspian, 

 as well as in the Black Sea district and along the valley of the 

 Danube. A limited number breed in Denmark, and — very locally 

 —in Holland and North Germany. Occasionally it has been 

 known to nest in the south-west of Spain, where vast flocks are 

 found in winter ; in the Mediterranean basin, however, as well as 

 over Central Europe, it is chiefly observed in cold weather. In 

 Asia it seldom reaches the Arctic circle, and Mr. Popham did not 

 meet with it on the Yenesei, while southward it (or a closely-allied 

 form, A. rubrirostris of Hodgson), extends to Canton in China, and 

 Central India. 



The nest, generally placed among coarse grass or rank heather, 

 though sometimes on a ledge of a crag, is composed of heather, small 

 twigs, reeds, or moss, without any lining until the female has laid her 

 eggs, which she then surrounds with down plucked from her breast. 

 These, usually 5-6 in number, though 1 2 are said to have been found, 

 are dull yellowish-white : measurements 3-5 by 2*4 in. In Scotland 

 incubation generally begins about the middle of April, and after the 

 females begin to sit the males leave them and collect in flocks at the 

 nearest water. This Goose feeds on grass and other vegetable 

 substances which are found inland, and — unless very much harassed 

 — always by day ; at night it betakes itself to promontories, sand- 

 banks, and other spots difficult of access. On long flights, a change- 

 able but more or less wedge-shaped formation is often assumed by 

 flocks of this, as well as of all the other ' Grey ' species, whence the 

 term ' a skein of Geese ' ; while old sportsmen usually spoke of a 

 ' gaggle ' : the latter term having reference, no doubt, to the noise 

 made by the birds. 



The adult has a few white feathers round the base of the bill ; 

 the general plumage of the head, neck and upper parts greyish- 

 brown ; lower breast and abdomen dull-white, with a few black spots. 

 The distinguishing characteristics of the species are the bluish-grey 

 rump and wing-coverts, flesh-coloured bill with a white nail at the 

 tip, and flesh-coloured legs and feet. Length : male 34 in. ; wing 

 17*5 ; female 30 in., wing 16 in. Weight 8-10 lbs. The young are 

 darker than the adults, and have no black spots on the under parts. 



