CHAPTER XXXTII. 



THE BEAN GOOSE. 



(A user ferus). 



" But this I know, tliat thou art very fine, 

 Seasoned with sage, with onions and port wine." 



Southey's Lines to a Goose. 



This species, termed the " common wild-goose," is g-enerally 

 abundant in this country in winter ; but its movements are much in 

 keeping with the weather. When too severe in the north of England, 

 these birds proceed towards the south. The habits of the bean-goose are 

 nearly identical with those of the grey-lag : they fly out to sea by day, 

 and inland by night j feeding on growing corn, young clover, turnip- 

 tops, or almost any green cultivated substance. In early spring they 

 alight in green bean fields, where they feed greedily — sometimes 

 doing considerable injury to the plant. They are also to be met with 

 occasionally, on moors and green plains ; but they are at all times 

 wary, and will tax the sportsman's cunning to get at them. The 

 clamour of their gabbling and cackling may sometimes be heard 

 at a long distance. These also fly in wedge-like form and 

 catenarian figures, when in large gaggles. A small number fly in a 

 straight line — one behind the other. When the wind is high, and 

 accompanied by snow and sleet, they fly low in the air : the shore- 

 gunner may then often bring them down by watching on the beach — 

 standing perfectly still. They then sometimes fly so near as to give 

 him a fine chance of a shot. 



The white-fronted or laughing goose (Anas alhifrons), 

 also termed the " bar-goose," from the dark-coloured bars across the 

 breast, is a bird of beautiful plumage, but of inferior value as an 

 edible one — not even so good as the grey-goose. In size it is a little 

 larger than the Brent, but not so large as the grey-goose. It is a 

 regular winter visitant to the British Isles, though in numbers more 



