386 GREY LAG-GOOSE. 



found in Wicklow and some of the central counties, and below 

 Limerick, on the Shannon ; but the species is very local. 



Though now only a visitor to the Faeroes, the Grey Lag-Goose has 

 been known to breed in Iceland, and is tolerably numerous during 

 summer in Scandinavia and Russia. In the latter it nests as far south 

 as the Caspian : as it does also in the Black Sea district and along 

 the valley of the Danube, and, occasionally, in the south-west of 

 Spain. In the INIediterranean basin however, as well as over the 

 rest of Europe, it is chiefly observed in cold weather; though a 

 limited number breed in Denmark, and — very locally — in Holland 

 and Northern Germany. In Asia its northern range seldom reaches 

 the Arctic circle, while southward it extends to Canton in China, 

 to Central India, and probably to Ceylon ; birds from the eastern 

 parts are, however, rather larger in size, with more black on the 

 under parts and less grey on the wing-coverts, and have been dis- 

 tinguished as A. nibrh'ostris of Hodgson. 



The nest, generally placed among coarse grass or rank heather, 

 though sometimes on a ledge of a crag, is composed of bents, reeds, 

 or moss, without any lining until the female has laid her eggs, which 

 she then surrounds with down plucked from her breast. These, 

 usually 5-6 in number, though 12 are said to have been found, 

 are dull yellowish-white : average measurements y^ by 2 '4 in. In 

 Scotland incubation generally begins about the middle of April, 

 and after the females begin to sit the males leave them and 

 collect in flocks at the nearest water. This Goose feeds on grass 

 and other vegetable substances which are found inland, and — unless 

 very much harassed — always by day ; at night it betakes itself to 

 promontories, sandbanks, and other spots diflicult of access. On 

 long flights, a changeable but more or less wedge-shaped forma- 

 tion is often assumed by flocks of all the ' Grey ' species, whence 

 the term ' a skein of Geese ' ; while old sportsmen usually spoke of 

 a ' gaggle ' : the latter term having reference, no doubt, to the noise 

 made by the birds. 



The adult has a few white feathers round the base of the bill ; 

 the general plumage of the head, neck and upper parts greyish- 

 brown ; lower breast and abdomen dull white with a few black spots. 

 The distinguishing characteristics of the species are the bluish- 

 grey rump and wing-coverts, flesh-coloured bill with a white nail at 

 the tip, and flesh-coloured legs and feet. Length : male 35 in., 

 wing i7'5 ; female 30 in., wing 16 in. The young are darker than 

 the adults. 



