330 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



turnips and rape. It makes a large nest near fresh water^ at 

 a distance from the coast, and is in considerable esteem for 

 the table. One was shot in the parish of Twineham, Decem- 

 ber 30th, 1853. In February 1854 large flights of this 

 Goose passed along the coast. Mr. Jeffery (p. n.) mentions 

 two shot at Sidlesham in the severe weather of January 

 1881. The White-fronted Goose is mentioned by Mr. Ellman 

 among the number shot on the coast in February 1850. 



Mr. Booth says that it visits the marshes and sandy flats 

 along the shore, as well as the mud-flats and the salt water 

 mud-banks. Formerly, several hundred might be seen 

 together on the marshes of Pevensey Level, but of late years 

 they have not been so numerous there. In the ' Zoologist ' 

 (p. 9100), Mr. Button has recorded one shot at Pevensey by 

 Mr. Vidler. Mr. Proctor says it breeds in Iceland, whence 

 he has received the eggs. 



BEAN GOOSE. 



Aiiser segetum. 



This species arrives on the coast in large flocks, in almost 

 every hard winter, and is much more abundant than the 

 Grey-lag. It has never been proved to breed in Britain. It 

 feeds chiefly by night, and, like the last, comes inland to the 

 stubbles and grassy flats ; it is in some districts exceedingly 

 destructive to the young corn. 



When feeding, it is very difiicult to approach, and besides 

 being very vigilant individually, there is always a sentinel. 

 At times a flock will pass the night in some open field which 

 they have frequented in the day-time, but usually they 

 will retire to the mud-banks of the estuaries, where they rest 

 more secure from disturbance. Among the immense flocks 



