PINK-FOOTED GOOSE 63 
plentiful in Northumberland, East Yorkshire, especially in 
the Humber district, and in parts of Norfolk. It 1s much 
scarcer on the southern and western sides, yet considerable 
numbers visited Lancashire in 1884 (Saunders). 
The Pink-footed Goose was first distinguished from the 
Bean-Goose by M. Baillon, in 1833 (MacGillivray, Brit. 
Birds, vol. i, p. 149). It was described and named by 
Bartlett in 1838. Since that date this Goose has, from 
time to time, been identified in the London and Provincial 
markets. It occurs along the sea-board on both sides of 
Scotland, visiting the Hebrides, though it is rare in the 
Orkneys, and practically unknown in the Shetlands. It 
has been obtained on one occasion in Ireland, viz., in the 
co. Donegal about October 19th, 1891 (‘ Irish Naturalist,’ 
1892, p. 4, A. G. More). 
In 1872 the late Sir Victor Brooke identified in the 
co. Meath, two Pink-footed Geese feeding in company with 
a large flock of Bernacles and Grey Lags. He states that 
“to an experienced eye the pink foot of this species 1s 
easily distinguished on the ground.” 
The Pink-footed Goose is not a bird with conspicuous 
markings and so may be easily overlooked. It often 
associates on the ground with Grey Lag-Geese and other 
species ; indeed Sir RB. Payne-Gallwey has shot it when 
keeping company with Bean and White-fronted Geese. 
It is probable, however, that it keeps apart from the 
other ‘Grey’ Geese on migration, otherwise we should 
expect that the Pink-footed Goose would have a wider 
distribution over the British Isles. It has been stated that 
this bird does not associate with its congeners in captivity, 
yet in this state it 1s interesting to note that it has interbred 
with other species, and hybrids have been raised. 
Flight.—The flight resembles that of the preceding 
species, from which “it is difficult to distinguish this Goose 
on the wing. 
Vovce. athe voice resembles that of other “Grey ’ 
Geese ; Mr. Saunders considers that it 1s sharper in tone 
than that of the Bean-Goose. 
Food.—The Pink-footed Goose is graminivorous to a 
great extent, and consumes large quantities of corn; it 
also eats grass and tender shoots. 
Nest.—The nesting-sites of this species are not well 
known. The eggs, four to six in number, are pure white. 
Incubation usually takes place in June. 
