1 62 SHOOTING THE GOOSE 



of 1901 I had the privilege of walking over that portion 



of the ground to which they are especially partial. I 



was too late, however, to see the geese, as they had 



already departed on migration at the end of February. 



The fields which they mainly frequent for feeding 



purposes consist of wide, open, grass meadows, lying 



at no great distance from the river Severn, where 



they roost. Occasionally they visit some smaller grass 



meadows near by, where the hedges are high and give 



plenty of cover for the gunner. In one corner of a 



field I noticed a haystack, which was said to be an 



excellent stand for the gunner when the geese came 



to these more inland pastures. It is quite likely from 



its commanding position that this haystack sometimes 



serves them as a landmark when flighting inland. 



Around the feeding-grounds, and near the banks which 



bound them, hurdles interwoven with straw are erected, 



behind which the shooters hide when the geese are 



being driven overhead by the beaters. On rough, 



stormy days I was told that as many as five or six 



drives had been obtained ; but the geese would not 



submit to such treatment very frequently. The records 



of the sport at Berkeley have been carefully and 



methodically kept for upwards of sixty years on an 



elaborately, decorated wooden panel. The totals for 



different seasons vary much, but in 1890-91, which 



