BAR-HEADED GOOSE 61 



its daytime rest, but, like the geese generally, does not go into 

 the water much, but remains on the banks, with sentries set to 

 give the alarm if required. Sometimes, however, the flocks ride 

 at anchor, as it were, in the middle of a river or tank. 



Drifting" down on them in a boat, where they are found on a 

 river, has been found a satisfactory manner of approach ; and 

 they are often shot at ilighting-time in the evening. They fly 

 in the V-figure which is usually assumed by travelling geese, 

 and, for such birds, are unusually active, as well as strong, on the 

 wing. Damant records a curious example of this : " In Manipur," 

 he says, " I have often watched them returning from their feeding 

 grounds to the lake where they intend to pass the day ; their 

 cry is heard before they themselves can be seen ; they then 

 appear flying in the form of a wedge, each bird keeping his place 

 with perfect regularity ; when they reach the lake they circle 

 round once or twice, and Anally, before settling, each bird 

 tumbles over in the air two or three times precisely like a 

 tumbler pigeon." I have seen domestic geese turn somersaults 

 in the water when playing, but "looping the loop" is somehow 

 a performance one hardly expects of a goose. In spring, also, 

 in its breeding haunts, the bird chases its mate on the wing. 

 As geese go, however, this species is graceful and active on land 

 also; it sits high in the stern on the water, like geese generally. 

 The note is harder and sharper than that of the grey goose, 

 according to Hume, who says the two species can be distinguished 

 by this alone when passing overhead at night. They do not 

 associate, though often seen near together. 



Although the bar-headed goose is found on the Kashmir lakes 

 and elsewhere in the hills up to 7,000 ft., it does not breed in 

 India, but in Ladakh, Central Asia and Tibet. The four or five 

 eggs are white, and are to be found on islands in the Tso- 

 mourari lake even before the winter ice breaks up. The goslings 

 are yellow, shaded with olive above, and have black bills and 

 feet, as I have seen in specimens bred in Kew Gardens. The 

 Ladakhi name for the bird is Neg-pa ; the Nepalese call it Paria, 

 and the Tamils Nir-hathu ; Birwa is also a Hindustani name. 



