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 

 eggs, 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, 

 on the Sutherlandshire lakes. The nest is placed 

 among the heath on the marshes. The female 

 lays ten or twelve white eggs. 



