350 Hon. T. L. Powys on Birds 



winter. One of our party killed an immature specimen at the 

 mouth of the river Drin, in the latter provincej in December 

 1857. 



219. Grey-lag Goose. {Anser ferus.) 



Common in February 1858, on the west coasts of continental 

 Greece, about Petala and the plains of the Acheloiis, where we 

 shot several. I have seen Wild Geese in most parts of Epirus 

 and Albania that I have visited, but could not make out whether 

 they belonged to this, or either of the following species. 



220. Bean Goose. {Anser segetum.) 



Common in winter on the coasts of Epirus and Greece, parti- 

 cularly at Petala. We used to take up a position on one of the 

 numerous small islands which skirt the little Gulf of Petala to 

 the north, and had very good sport at wild-fowl of all sorts. 

 The Geese did not come within shot much before dark, but 

 Mallards, Shovellers, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Pochard, and Tufted 

 Ducks kept us pretty busy during the day. We did not fire at 

 Golden-eyes, Smews, &c., and when such birds passed us, used 

 merely to exclaim to one another, " Muck." On one occasion 

 we were much excited by the evolutions and music of a small 

 flock of Wild Swans, which, however, declined our acquaintance. 

 Pelicans also would often flap heavily within a few yards of us, 

 totally regardless of green cartridges and B.B. shot. My com- 

 panion would not shoot at any Ducks whenever there appeared 

 to be a chance of our getting a shot at Geese ; but we never- 

 theless contrived to load ourselves to that degree, that wading 

 through the mud to our boat became a feat by no means easy of 

 accomplishment. The present species was the most common of 

 the three Anseres that presented themselves to our guns at 

 Petals, and I am disposed to think that it is the most abundant 

 of its family in Greece and Turkey ; it is far superior for the 

 table to either of the other species. Our bag at Petala 1 find to 

 have been as follows : — 



February 5th, on the island above mentioned : 2 Bean Geese, 

 1 White-fronted Goose, 1 Grey-lag Goose, 14 Wild Ducks, 4 

 Wigeon, 1 Teal. 



February 6th, in the plains of the Acheloiis : 14 Wild Ducks, 



