AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 145 



Wellaiid was formerly even more abundantly fre- 

 quented by Geese in the autumn and winter than 

 that of the Nen, and I am assured that on certain 

 pasture-lands near Gretton, boys were regularly 

 employed to scare these birds, on account of the 

 damage done to the grass by their appetites and 

 excrement. In appearance on wing, note, and habits, 

 — in fact, in almost every particular except that 

 of size, and a few slight differences that are imper- 

 ceptible at a distance, the Bean-Goose so closely 

 resembles the Pink-footed that 1 could never be 

 quite certain of distinguishing between them except 

 when " in hand," and even in the latter case I have 

 found that some of the external characters quoted by 

 authors as distinctive are by no means constant. As 

 a rule, I think that the Bean-Goose on its travels 

 adheres more strictly to the single file or horizontal 

 <-formation than other species ; but of course the 

 method of advance or retreat is guided by con- 

 venience and circumstance, and not, as in the case of 

 the British soldier, by Her Majesty's regulations. 

 The Bean-Goose breeds in Northern Europe and 

 Asia, and in autumn and winter is to be met with 

 over almost the whole of the former continent, with 

 regard to Asia, it is stated that this species has not 

 been met with in India. 



This Goose thrives well in captivity, but in my 

 experience never becomes really tame unless reared 

 by hand from the nest. I believe this to be the most 

 coast-frequenting of our grey Geese, but as long 

 as any acceptable food is to be found on cultivated 

 ground or pasture-land, I am inclined to think tliat 

 salt-water and sea-shores are only resorted to for rest 

 and security. 



VOL. II. L 



