68 THE BEAN GOOSE AND PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 



has selected a spot on which to alight, the Geese may be 

 seen circling slowly round and round, first at a consider- 

 able height, and then gradually getting lower and lower 

 until they reach the ground, when they all stand motion- 

 less for some time, with erect head and neck, watching 

 attentively. If nothing suspicious is noticed, they com- 

 mence feeding, one of their number, however, always 

 acting as a sentinel to warn the others of any appearance 

 of danger. When the sentinel gives the note of alarm 

 the Geese run up to him, and, uttering their loud grating 

 cries, take to flight, at first without any order, though 

 after gaining some height they assume their usual wedge 

 shape. 



There is no better sport with the gun in this country 

 than stalking Wild Geese, the sportsman having to exercise 

 all his powers to get within range of these wary and almost 

 unapproachable birds. Sometimes he has to crawl on his 

 hands and knees for long distances, behind hedges and 

 dykes, and often along wet ditches ; but these difficulties 

 are all forgotten when his hopes are crowned with success. 1 



Unwearied patience, persevering toil, 

 Alone can crown the fowler's eager hopes, 

 Whate'er the season or whate'er the sport. 



VINCENT, Fowling. 



The late Earl of Wemyss was well known in Berwickshire 

 as a keen and successful stalker of Wild Geese, and many 

 anecdotes are related of his skill. One day, about twenty- 

 five years ago, when fox-hunting near Keston, he was in- 

 formed that some Wild Geese were frequenting the farm 

 of Heughhead, then occupied by Mr. Joseph Allan, and 

 although his Lordship's residence, Lennel, was about sixteen 



1 John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe the Bibliomania Duke "lay for hours 

 together, though snow fell at the time, beside some lonely spring in the Cheviot 

 Hills, where he expected the precarious chance of shooting a Wild Goose when the 

 dawning should break." Chamb. Scot. Biog. Diet., iii. p. 309. 



