308 OUR RARER BIRDS 



feathers being changed almost the last of all. These quill- 

 feathers, curiously enough, drop out very rapidly, so that for 

 a short time the birds are quite unable to fly. Knowing 

 their helplessness full well, they are now wary in the extreme, 

 and spend most of their time in the water, keeping far away 

 from shore, only venturing to land at irregular intervals to 

 feed at dusk when all is quiet, or in early morning. Even 

 then they never stray far from the water, and the instant 

 danger threatens they seek refuge in that element, running 

 with great speed to the shore, and swimming quickly out 

 into the open sea or lake. During the whole breeding season 

 flocks of Gray-Lag Geese may often be seen, both at sea and 

 on the moors and marshes. These birds are young ones 

 hatched the previous season, and not yet old enough to 

 breed ; but when the autumn comes they unite with the 

 older birds and their broods, and keep in company through 

 the winter. At this season the Gray-Lag Goose wanders far 

 from its usual haunts, soaring into the highest air, and wing- 

 ing its way to distant coasts or inland districts where it can 

 find seclusion and food. 



