150 BIRDS OF LANCASHIRE. 



ORDER ANSERES. 



FAMILY ANATID^.— GENUS ANSER. 



GREY LAG-GOOSE. 



Anser cinereus, Meyer. 



The various species of Geese are seldom seen on the 

 coasts of Lancashire except at the seasons of migration, 

 and they appear most frequently in October and March. 

 During hard frosts, however, or after storms at sea, 

 they have often been observed in the remaining winter 

 months, and flocks have been occasionally seen flying 

 northward as late as June, and southward as early as 

 September. These flocks usually fly at so great a height 

 that it is impossible to distinguish the species, and 

 there is considerable difference of opinion as to whether 

 the present or the Pink-footed Goose is of more common 

 occurrence. The Grey Lag-Goose has been shot many 

 times round Morecambe Bay, and also on the inland 

 reservoirs, and no doubt passes through every winter. 

 Mr. T. Jackson says that, from his station at Overton on 

 tlie Lune, the Grey Geese always go north-east in 

 spring, and south-west in autumn, in flocks both large 

 and small, and generally flying either in a straight line 

 or in the form of a wedge. 



[With reference to this and the Pink-footed Goose, 

 the following notes by Mr. Howard should be consulted. 

 He says : " From opposite the Naze, seawards, the 

 Piibble had no definite channel forty or fifty years ago ; 

 the estuary was all sand and its general level several 



