154 THE GEESE 



tundra of Eastern Siberia. A few pairs also nest in North Iceland, but American 

 writers distinguish the race which is found in arctic North America and Greenland 

 as A. albifrons gambeli. In winter it is found on migration throughout Europe, 

 south to the Mediterranean and the north of Africa, and casual on Madeira, 

 while Asiatic birds reach Northern India, China, Japan, and Corea, and the 

 American race wanders to Mexico and Cuba. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. A cold- weather visitor from the Far North in varying 

 numbers, appearing between 29th September and 28th October (cf. Clarke, Studies 

 in Bird Migration, 1912, vol. i. p. 159). In Ireland the species is abundant and 

 widespread in winter, both inland and on the coasts : October to late April is the 

 period of its stay, but there are also records for September and May (cf. Ussher and 

 Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 177). In Great Britain it is only abundant locally, 

 chiefly on the coasts. Islay, the Northern Isles, and the Moray Firth are notable 

 Scottish localities, while in England it is the southern and south-western districts 

 that are most favoured (cf. Saunders, III. Man. B. B., 2nd ed., 1899, p. 399). 

 Gregarious. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Does not breed in the British Isles. [F. c. B. J.] 



5. Food. Young shoots of various aquatic plants, grass, clover, corn when 

 and where it is to be had, and wild fruits : the young feed on bisects, snails, and 

 Crustacea, and display a fondness of the " mares-tail " (Equisetum) ; they are accom- 

 panied in their search for food by both parents, [w. P. P.] 



BEAN-GOOSE [Anser fabdlis (Latham). Grey-goose (generic), bog-goose, 

 harvest-goose. French, oie sauvage ; German, Saat-Gans ; Italian, oca 

 granaiola], 



I. Description. In the bean-goose the nail and basal part of the beak are 

 black, enclosing a large orange-coloured area, and the legs are orange. The sexes are 

 alike. (PL 152.) Length 34 in. [863-0 mm.]. The upper parts are brownish grey, 

 much darker chocolate on the scapulars and interscapulars, which are marked by 

 bars of greyish white formed by the tips of the feathers ; the inner secondaries are 

 similarly edged with greyish white, and the lesser wing-coverts are mouse-coloured. 

 The lower back and rump are dark brown, the sides of the latter and the tail-coverts 

 white. The under parts are white shading into brown on the throat, breast, and 

 flanks, which are barred with greyish white. Immature birds have the pale tips 

 to the back and flank feathers tinged with rufous, and the feet yellow rather than 



