79 
ern parts. At all seasons of the year it prefers 
the inland lakes to the sea-shore, but it is some- 
times seen in summer fishing on the sea. 
The nest, which is composed of grass, roots, &c., 
lined with down, is placed near the water. The 
egos, seven or eight in number, are of a uniform 
buff-coloured white. The young birds are like the 
females in plumage, and the young males do not 
assume the adult plumage until the second year. 
GOOSE, BEAN, ANSER. 
ANSER SEGETUM, Gmel. 
The Bean Goose is the commonest species in 
Sweden, and is found in Finland, Ireland, Nova 
Zembla, and Iceland, where it breeds in consider- 
able numbers. It is abundant also in Holland, 
Germany, Italy, &c., but is rare in Central Europe. 
It is a winter visitant to this country, migrating 
from the higher northern latitudes about the months 
of September and October, and betaking itself to 
the fens and stubble-fields, where it feeds. It has 
a preference for green corn as food, and of course 
commits great ravages in the fields. It is said to 
be very numerous on the Norwegian coast, where 
it breeds in great numbers, as also in Scotland, 
onthe Sutherlandshire lakes. The nest is placed 
among the heath on the marshes. The female 
lays ten or twelve white eggs. 
