> a, 
302 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
BEAN GOOSE 
Anser segetum (Gmelin) 
This species nests throughout Northern Europe and Asia. 
In Scotland, however, it is not so numerous as the other — 
species. It inhabits the Northern Palzarctic region. In 
autumn it migrates to North-West Africa. | 
This bird feeds inland on grain and vegetation. 
The bill is black, with an orange band across the centre | 
and a d/ack nail; the amount of orange on the bill varies, how- 
ever, in individuals, and several forms have been differentiated, — 
though the matter requires further confirmation before being — 
finally accepted. The amount of orange in the bill may also — 
vary, in some cases, during the life of a single individual. 
Legs, orange yellow. There is no bluish grey on the shoulder 
of the wing, as in the Grey Lag and Pink-footed. Length 
from 30 to 341n.; wing Igin. 
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE 
Anser brachyrhynchus (Bazillon) 
On the east of England and Scotland this species is very — 
numerous during the winter, but in the south of England it~ 
does not often occur, and its appearance in Ireland is not yet 
authenticated. It breeds in Northern Europe, and is ap- 
parently the only Grey Goose breeding on Spitzbergen. 
The bill is black, with pink across the centre and a black 
nail. Legs and feet also pink. This pink colour has some- 
times a yellowish tinge, and so cannot be accepted as a definite 
character on which to diagnose this species. The wing, how- 
ever, in the Pink-footed Goose is blue-grey, approaching that 
of the Grey Lag, and this, together with its smaller size, will 
distinguish it from the other species. Length from 28 to 
29 in. ; wing 17°5 in. 
