The True Geese. 71 



Plover. The Pink-footed Geese of Spits- 

 bergen behave in the same way, if they 

 have their young with them. Provided 

 the ground is not too steep, they run for 

 long distances, sometimes even along the 

 edge of the water without entering it. 

 Pink-footed Geese are remarkably quick 

 upon their legs, and the young birds, 

 when half-grown, can run as fast as the 

 old ones ; the latter, if hurried, run with 

 outstretched wings, which hinder them 

 against the wind ; but if too closely pressed, 

 the goose, which leads (the gander brings 

 up the rear) will suddenly drop, and the 

 whole party follow her example. You 

 can then walk up and look at them lying 

 there, all in precisely the same attitude, 

 with bodies flattened down and necks 

 outstretched on the ground, so that you 

 must stir them up in order to start them 

 off again. The nest is well guarded by 

 the gander, who will leave his sentry-post 

 and walk round and round the sitting 

 goose on a little track made by his steps, 

 resenting your intrusion by a continued 

 series of short sharp notes, not unlike 

 those of the Brent." 



In the British Museum there are three 

 eggs of this Goose, taken in Spitsbergen. 

 They are rather smooth and have a Httle 



