GEESE 307 



came across this interesting bird, and its cries may be 

 repeatedly heard from all the wildest and most secluded 

 portions of this wilderness of marsh and moor, rock and 

 water. Its food is principally grass. It may be seen on the 

 downs and by the sides of the little pools eagerly grazing ; 

 but in autumn it frequents the stubbles to pick up the 

 grain. In the autumn months the Gray-Lag Goose rarely 

 sleeps on the sea, but retires to some desolate, low island for 

 the purpose ; and during the breeding season the male seldom 

 strays far from the neighbourhood of the nest, where he 

 stands ready to defend his mate and her charge. At all 

 times of the year this bird is more or less gregarious, but it 

 rarely flocks with other species, although in many parts of 

 the Highlands tame Geese and their wild relations may be 

 seen feeding on the stubbles together. They are remarkably 

 noisy birds, and their loud chorus of gag-gag is commenced 

 at the least alarm or excitement. 



The Gray -Lag Goose may probably pair for life, and 

 returns with its mate to the chosen nesting-ground early in 

 spring. It is a rather early breeder, and I have taken its 

 eggs by the end of April. The nest is built amongst the tall 

 heath, or in the reeds and rushes on the marshy ground, and 

 is a somewhat conspicuous object, made of the dead branches 

 of the heather, rushes, bracken, and turf, and lined with 

 down and feathers plucked from the body of the female. In 

 this structure she lays half a dozen big white eggs, resembling 

 those of the domestic Goose in every particular, but perhaps 

 on an average they are a little smaller. During the whole 

 period of incubation the gander keeps at hand to beat off any 

 marauding bird or animal. Only one brood is reared in the 

 season, and as soon as the young are sufficiently fledged the 

 old birds lead them to the sea. 



At the end of summer a most interesting event takes 

 place. The old birds begins to moult their plumage, the wing- 



