PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 71 



peared in the south of Scotland, and those which 

 came under our notice were all Bean-geese. Du- 

 ring the following season, 1842-43, geese were 

 almost equally scarce, but on the 3d April we 

 found a specimen of the pink-footed bird, along 

 with one or two bean geese, in the shop of Mr. 

 Muirhead, poulterer, who is always most obliging 

 in allowing us to inspect his cargoes of wild-fowl and 

 select any thing curious from among them. These 

 were said to have come from the east coast, along 

 which, from Edinburgh to Newcastle, the wild geese, 

 in spring, and when on the move to their breeding- 

 grounds, feed on the young wheat, and were for- 

 merly at this season sent in considerable numbers 

 to the Edinburgh market. This specimen has served 

 for the following description : In extreme length it 



is about two feet five inches ; the bill, from having 

 been kept, had become dark, but appeared to have 



