DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 227 
tion of one of this bird’s trivial names—Lag— 
has given rise to much speculation, until Professor 
Skeat*™ apparently solved the riddle by suggesting 
that the word—which is an equivalent for late— 
applied to the bird’s habit of lagging behind to 
breed in the Fens, after other migratory Geese 
had departed north. A few Gray Lag Geese 
locally appear, chiefly on our eastern seaboard 
in winter, and it is more than probable that, 
normally, most of these birds are the individuals 
still continuing to inhabit the British Islands. 
These birds generally resort to the coast, fre- 
quenting sand-banks and low islands during the 
day, as a safe retreat in which to rest and sleep, 
coming landwards again at dusk to feed. This 
Goose, although gregarious during winter, seldom 
or never consorts with other species, although 
ready enough to mingle with its tame descendants 
on the stubbles and pastures. Where not perse- 
cuted, this Goose is a day feeder: but incessant 
shooting has caused it to vary its habits in this 
respect, and to defer its visits to dangerous 
grounds until darkness has set in. It shows 
little partiality for water, only resorting thereto 
when alarmed, or during the helpless period 
of its moult, when its quills all drop out together 
and incapacitate it for flight. It swims well and 
buoyantly, however, and when wounded has been 
* Jbis, 1870, p. 301. 
