GREY-LAG GOOSE 119 
towards the river, and then rising again. On a near approach, 
he perceived that its object was to take a Wild-Goose, which 
had alighted on the water, and which was dipping to avoid 
so powerful an enemy. Its efforts, however, appeared to be 
in vain, and after diving again and again, and as often rising 
to get breath, it became nearly exhausted; when suddenly 
turning, it made for the shore with all speed towards the 
officer’s house, where two men were at work, and, as soon 
as it had landed, walked leisurely up to them, permitting 
itself to be taken without attempting to escape. It was 
completely exhausted, but soon recovered, and within three 
days seemed quite contented and confident of protection.” 
In the spring of the year the young males have frequent 
contests, holding one another by the neck and beating with 
their wings till one. is obliged to yield; the females are 
spectators, but not silent ones, keeping up a constant cackling, 
expressive of encouragement, to continue the fight, or exhorta- 
tive to peace. Wild-Geese are good to eat when fed on the 
land. They are very shy and vigilant birds, and can only 
be approached on open ground by stalking, and that of the 
most careful kind. Sentinels are always on the look-out, to 
give immediate notice of the approach of danger, and on 
the slightest alarm the whole flock takes wing. They usually 
retire at night to the water, but watch is still kept by 
sentries who take their turns in the office. 
They feed on grasses of various kinds, the young blades of 
corn, water-plants, clover, and other herbage, as also seeds, 
grain, barley, it is said, and oats, especially, and often do 
considerable damage among the young crops. 
The voice, a clangulous “call, is the echo of the harsh ery 
of the common species. It is very frequently uttered, especially 
when the bird is flying, or if a companion be met with. 
The nest of this Goose is made of grass, rushes, leaves, or 
dry stalks of plants, under cover of some rushes or osiers, 
and is well lined with feathers. I¢ is large in size, and is 
located in a marsh, or by the border of a lake or inland sea. 
The male keeps guard near it while his partner sits. 
The eggs are said to be commonly four or five in number, 
but to amount also to as many as twelve or fourteen, the 
former the produce of younger, and the latter of older birds; 
eight or nine the intermediate quantity. They are of a dull 
yellowish white, smooth and shining in appearance. 
Meyer says, ‘The female is very careful in covering the 
