The True Geese. 55 



fly down on a field or piece of water, they 

 also stop, but they do not then approach 

 nearer their companions of the voyage 

 than while travelling. They are very 

 fond of swimming about, which they do 

 with great agility. They feed upon roots, 

 grain, and water lentils. They are not 

 very wild, but at the same time cautious, 

 and keep at a long range from the sports- 

 man's gun." 



Mr. Dresser says : — " In habits the 

 present species is said to assimilate 

 closely to the White-fronted Goose. It 

 breeds, like many of the Geese, in the 

 extreme north of the European and 

 Asiatic continents. Dr. Sundstrom in- 

 forms me that, according to Lieutenant 

 Widmark, this Goose breeds in Lapland 

 in places near where there is ice all the 

 season, and nests in considerable numbers ; 

 but I have no detailed information re- 

 specting its nesting habits. Lieutenant 

 Widmark says that it moults about the 

 I St of July, and he saw a flock in full 

 moult early in August. When in moult, 

 they collect in vast flocks, and frequent 

 localities where the ice always remains ; 

 and though unable to fly, they are swift 

 enough on the foot to escape capture." 



In the British Museum there are eggs 



