THE GRRY-LAG GOOSE. 183 



miles inland, in search of g-reen fields and meadows ; and when once 

 good feeding", in a safe retreat, has been discovered, they use it 

 nightly, if undisturbed. 



When on a long flight, they are generally sufficiently high in the 

 air to be out of the range of an ordinary gun ; but a good marks- 

 man may sometimes bring one down with a rifle. Their movements 

 are very interesting : flying always in catenarian order, as if 

 linked together, and hanging by the same thread — sometimes 

 in one figure and sometimes in another. The most general one 

 is wedge-like or angular, with one bird as a leader: the others 

 forming in two perfect lines, following just as if fixed on a string. 

 When changing their course in the air, or their leader, they seem to 

 endeavour as much as possible to preserve intact the apparent con- 

 necting link of their party. And thus, wedge-ways, by little and little 

 they spread broader and broader behind, bearing a great length 

 besides with them ; by which means also they gather more wind to 

 bear them up and urge them forward.* 



They often alight, just before dusk, in fields of green wheat ; on 

 the blades of which they feed greedily, always taking up their 

 position in the most central part of the field, and seldom within range 

 of an ordinary shoulder- gun. But they are not always secure in 

 their rural position on the farmer's fields; indeed, most farmers 

 in the flat counties are familiar with the habits of grey-geese, and 

 often contrive, on being honoured with a visit by these birds, to stalk 

 and kill one or more of the gaggle with a small shoulder-piece. 

 Cunning" sportsmen have sometimes stopped six or eight of these 

 noble birds at a shot, when a gaggle has been, unsuspectingly busy, 

 feeding in open fields or meadows. 



Whilst feeding in small fields they are generally perfectly mute ; 

 but when disturbed, their cackling" is exceedingly loud and noisy : 

 their note is a clangulous sort of call, sounding like " haunk ! hawnc !" 



They are also particularly fond of frequenting flooded moors and 

 large water-meadows; indeed, they spend the greater part of their 

 time at such places, more especially by night. In such positions it is 

 very difficult to get at them ; and it is seldom they are killed in open 

 countries. But if a place of concealment can be made, or found, 

 near their haunts, or in the line of their flight on leaving the moor, 



* A tergo sensim dilatante se cuneo porrigitur agmen largeque impellenti prfB- 

 betur aurse. — Pliny, lih. x., cap. 23. And vide ante, p. 113. — "The flight of wild- 

 fowl." 



