402 BEAN-GOOSE. 



where Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Seebohm found it nesting on the 

 'tundras' of the Petchora, while at Dvoinik, on July 27th, several 

 hundred old Geese and about as many young were observed march- 

 ing like a regiment of soldiers, most of them being in full moult 

 and unable to fly. According to Mr. Trevor-Battye, Admiral 

 Markham, Mr. H. J. Pearson, and others, this species is abundant 

 on Kolguev, Waigats, and both islands of Novaya Zemlya ; in fact, 

 it is the predominating 'Grey' Goose on Kolguev (Trevor-Battye), 

 and Mr. H. L. Popham makes a similar remark respecting the 

 Yenesei. Eastward of about 115° long, in Siberia, the representative 

 is A. serrirosfris, a larger bird with some tawny colour on the head 

 and neck, large flocks of which visit Japan and China in winter. 

 Our bird is not known to reach India, but it occurs in Palestine and 

 the basin of the Mediterranean, and is common in Russia down to 

 the Caspian and Poland ; while, though rare in the Iberiau Penin- 

 sula, it is said to have been obtained in Madeira. 



The nest is built early in June, in a tussock of sedge or upon a 

 hillock in an islet ; the eggs, up to 6 in number, are dull creamy- 

 white, and are smaller and lighter in weight than those of the Grey 

 Lag-Goose: measurements 3 "2 by 2*2 in. The Bean-Goose is 

 decidedly herbivorous, feeding by day on pastures : and its name is 

 probably owing to the long and repeated confusion of this species 

 with the Pink-footed Goose, which is graminivorous. Sir R. Payne- 

 Gallwey says that Bean-Geese are the slaves of weather ; when frost 

 sets in they are driven to the neighbourhood of tidal-waters ; con- 

 tinued rain and wind keep them inland ; a north wind unsettles 

 them ; a north-east wind, again, will bring them to the coast in 

 anticipation of frost ; a change, and they are on their travels once 

 more. He adds that Geese are not very wary at night, nor do they 

 appear to possess the power of vision of other wild-fowl. In con- 

 finement, this species has bred with the Pink-footed Goose. 



The adult is characterized by its somewhat slender shape, long, 

 weak bill — orange in the centre, and black at the base and on the 

 nail — pinkish-yellow legs and feet, and the absence of any black 

 on the breast; the general plumage is darker than in the two 

 preceding species, and there is no bluish-grey on the shoulder. 

 Though less bulky than the Grey Lag-Goose, it is nearly as long, 

 being a slim bird : male 33-34 in. ; wing long in proportion, and 

 averaging nearly 19 in.; weight, 7,^-8 lbs. The female is rather 

 smaller. Young birds are generally darker, their markings are less 

 distinct, and the neck has a tawny tinge. 



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