154 CANADA GOOSE. 



swimming down the river. Being alarmed, the Geese took wing, 

 when Mr. Preece fired, and brought one to the ground. It 

 proved to be a fine male, weighing lolbs. lo ounces ; 4 ounces 

 heavier than the heaviest male recorded by the Rev. F. O. Morris. 

 The birds of the larger flock were noticed as having black necks, 

 with a patch of white across the face. This band of white extending 

 round the upper part of the neck, and terminating over the eye, 

 has earned for the Canada Goose the name of the " Cravat Goosey 



The specimen secured by Mr. H. Preece is in the possession 

 of Mr. W. C. Blake, of Ross, who has kindly furnished the 

 interesting notice of the occurrence of this rare species in 

 Herefordshire. The very severe weather in the north of Europe 

 and America probably drove the birds to our shores. The flock 

 left the neighbourhood, without being further thinned. 



Mr. Morris cites the appearance of the Canada Goose in but 

 few English counties (chiefly coast ones), and at rather long 

 intervals. They are more regular visitants to some of the more 

 secluded lochs of Scotland. 



The following interesting quotation is from " Wihon^s 

 Ornithology " .• — 



" This is the common Goose of the United States, universally 

 " known over the whole country, whose regular periodical mi- 

 "grations are the sure signals of returning spring, or approaching 

 " winter. It is highly probable that they extend their migrations 

 " under the very pole itself, amid the silent desolation of unknown 

 " countries, shut out since the creation from the prying eyes of 

 " man, by everlasting, and insuperable barriers of ice. 



" That such places abound with their food, we cannot for 

 " a moment doubt, while the absence of their great destroyer, man, 

 " and the splendours of a perpetual day, may render such regions, 

 "most suitable for their purpose." 



[Berxicla ruficollis — Red-breasted Goose.] 

 A rare straggler to Britain. 



