232 



BRITISH BIRDS 



simple number are always discernible. . . . After finishing their 

 morning meal, about noon, the geese are disposed to rest, and spend 

 the middle of the day floating about on the water, preening them- 

 selves, and, in mild weather, splashing about, and chasing each 

 other in sheer exuberance of spirit. . . . Towards evening the geese 

 recommence feeding, and so intensely eager are they about sunset 

 to utilise the few remaining minutes that they then, perhaps, offer 

 the most favourable chance to get within shot. . . . Just at dark 

 the whole host rise on wing together, and make for the open sea. 

 In the morning they come in by companies and battalions, but at 

 night they go out in a solid army ; and a line si^ht it is to witness 

 their departure. The whole host, perhaps ten thousand strong, 

 here massed in dense phalanxes, elsewhere in columns, tailing off 

 into long skeins, V's, or rectilinear formations of every conceivable 

 shape, but always with a certain formation out they go ; ... while 

 their loud clanging lionk Jiou.k, and its running accompaniment of 

 lower croaks and shrill bi-tones, resound for miles around.' 



Barnacle Goose. 

 Bernicla leucopsis. 



!'[,. 77. I'.AKNACLE GOOSE, j 1 ,, natural size. 



