302 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



BEAN GOOSE 

 Anser segetum {Gmelin) 



This species nests throughout Northern Europe and Asia. 

 In Scotland, however, it is not so numerous as the other 

 species. It inhabits the Northern Palaearctic region. In 

 autumn it migrates to North-West Africa. 



This bird feeds inland on grain and vegetation. 



The bill is black, with an orange band across the centre 

 and a black nail ; the amount of orange on the bill varies, how- 

 ever, in individuals, and several forms have been differentiated, 

 though the matter requires further confirmation before being 

 finally accepted. The amount of orange in the bill may also 

 vary, in some cases, during the life of a single individual. 

 Legs, orange yellow. There is no bluish grey on the shoulder 

 of the wing, as in the Grey Lag and Pink-footed. Length 

 from 30 to 34 in. ; wing 19 in. 



PINK-FOOTED GOOSE 



Anser brachyrhynchus {Baillon) 



On the east of England and Scotland this species is very 

 numerous during the winter, but in the south of England it 

 does not often occur, and its appearance in Ireland is not yet 

 authenticated. It breeds in Northern Europe, and is ap- 

 parently the only Grey Goose breeding on Spitzbergen. 



The bill is black, with pink across the centre and a black 

 nail. Legs and feet also pink. This pink colour has some- 

 times a yellowish tinge, and so cannot be accepted as a definite 

 character on which to diagnose this species. The wing, how- 

 ever, in the Pink-footed Goose is blue-grey, approaching that 

 of the Grey Lag, and this, together with its smaller size, will 

 distinguish it from the other species. Length from 28 to 

 29 in. ; wing I7'5 in. 



