404 PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 



only ' Grey ' Goose found breeding in Spitsbergen ; but there is as 

 yet no evidence of its presence in Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya 

 and the vicinity, Arctic Siberia or Kolguev. It visits Norway, but 

 accurate information is scanty respecting its distribution in Sweden, 

 Denmark, Russia and the greater part of Europe, for up to the 

 present day some Continental writers on ornithology are unable to 

 distinguish this species from the Bean-Goose ; identified examples 

 have, however, been obtained on passage in Holland, Belgium, and 

 France. The reported occurrence of the Pink-footed Goose in 

 India, or further east, in winter, is not yet confirmed by authenti- 

 cated specimens. 



The nest is said to be placed in situations commanding an exten- 

 sive view, and the male is constantly on the watch to warn his mate 

 of any approaching danger. Messrs. A. H. Cocks and Abel Chap- 

 man found three pairs with goslings in the yellow downy state at 

 Magdalena Bay, Spitsbergen, on July 29th, by which date the adults 

 had recovered the use of their wings, being more advanced in their 

 moult than the Brent Geese. The white eggs are rather smaller 

 than those of the Bean-Goose, measuring 3-15 by 2-15 in. In 

 captivity the Pink-footed Goose is said to keep apart from its 

 congeners. Its voice differs from that of the Bean-Goose in being 

 sharper in tone, and the note is also repeated more rapidly. This 

 species is partial to grain dropped in the stubbles, as well as young 

 white clover, trefoil, &c. 



The late Mr. Cecil Smith, who kept this and other ' Grey ' Geese 

 for many years, remarked that the Pink-footed Goose had the upper 

 mandible pink in the centre with the base and edges black, and the 

 nail (usually) black, while the legs and feet were pink ; but the colours 

 of the soft parts were not always constant, some of the birds which he 

 bred having the light parts of the bill and the legs and feet orange 

 (as bright and decided an orange as in the Bean-Goose). They were, 

 however, slightly different in plumage, having the white markings 

 on the tail broader, and the shoulder more blue-grey : in this 

 respect resembling the Grey Lag-Goose, though the blue is darker 

 than in that bird. To this may be added that the Pink-footed 

 Goose is smaller than the Bean-Goose, the length being barely 

 28 in., wing 17 "5 in., and the bill is markedly shorter in proportion ; 

 while Bartlett has pointed out that the formation of its sternum 

 more closely resembles that of the White-fronted than that of the 

 Bean-Goose. Weight 5^-7 lbs. 



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