3 go BEAN GOOSE. 



27th, several hundred old Geese and about as many young were ob- 

 served marching like a regiment of soldiers, most of them being in 

 full moult and unable to fly. Capt. A. H. Markham, R.N., brought 

 specimens from Novaya Zemlya, where he found this — but no 

 other ' Grey ' Goose — very abundant at the end of July and early in 

 August. Eastward we trace it in summer across Arctic Siberia, and 

 through the mountains further south as far as Amurland ; while 

 large flocks visit Japan and China in winter. The birds found to 

 the east of Lake Baikal have very large bills and feet, and some of 

 the males exhibit a tawny colour on the head and neck, like that in 

 the Chinese Goose, A. cygnoides, found in the same regions. The 

 winter range in Asia does not extend to India, but the bird visits 

 Palestine and the basin of the Mediterranean, and is said to have 

 been obtained in Madeira. On the Continent generally it is abun- 

 dant during the colder months, except in Spain ; and in France it is 

 well known by the name of Oic des inoissoiis, or Harvest-Goose, 

 from the time of its arrival and its partiality to stubbles. 



The nest, built early in June, is a hollow in a tussock of sedge or 

 upon a hillock in an islet ; the eggs, 3-4 in number, are dull creamy- 

 white, measuring about 3*2 by 2*2 in. : smaller and much lighter in 

 weight than those of the Grey Lag-Goose. The Bean Goose feeds 

 by day, inland ; and its name is probably attributable to the 

 bird's partiality to pulse, grain, and newly-sown beans in early spring. 

 Sir R. Payne-Gallwey says that Bean Geese are the slaves of weather ; 

 when frost sets in they are driven to the neighbourhood of tidal-waters ; 

 continued rain and wind keep them inland ; a north wind unsettles 

 them ; a north-east wind, again, will bring them to the coast in an- 

 ticipation of frost ; a change, and they are on their travels once 

 more. He adds that Geese are not very wary at night, nor do they 

 appear to possess the power of vision of other wild-fowl. In con- 

 finement, this species has bred with the Pink-footed Goose. 



The adult is characterized by its somewhat slender shape, long 

 bill — orange in the centre, and black at the base and on the nail — 

 orange-yellow legs and feet, and the absence of any black on the 

 breast ; the general plumage is darker than in the two preceding 

 species, and there is no bluish-grey on the shoulder of the wing. 

 Length of the male 34 in. ; wing long in proportion, and averaging 

 nearly 19 in. The female is rather smaller. Young birds are generally 

 darker, their markings are less distinct, and the neck has a tawny 

 tinge. 



