82 CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



BEAN GOOSE. 



Case 81. 



Although some authors have stated that this Goose 

 nests in the British Islands, I believe that no properly 

 authenticated eggs have ever been obtained. 



In the North they appear in large flocks early in the 

 autumn, and on the approach of cold weather gradually 

 make their way south. 



In East Lothian and other parts of the south of 

 Scotland these birds, as well as the Greylags, become 

 a perfect nuisance, from the depredations they commit 

 on the crops. 



When living in that district I was proceeding one 

 evening to dine with a neighbouring farmer, when I 

 perceived what I imagined, in the gloaming, to be a 

 large flock of sheep advancing over a field of young 

 corn. As I knew they had no business there, I went 

 cautiously round the back of the hedge to learn, if 

 possible, where they were breaking through, and on 

 looking over was almost as much surprised as the 

 birds themselves, to discover my flock of sheep trans- 

 formed into about 500 Wild Geese. 



I was totally unprepared at the moment to fire a gun 

 which I had with me, but before they got out of range 

 I managed to bring down two and wound another, which 

 was captured alive by a sheep-dog the following day. 



Had I known the birds were there, they were so 

 closely packed that at least ten or a dozen must have 

 been bagged. 



The two killed were both of this species, but the 

 other, which I did not see myself, appeared from the 

 description given me to be a Greylag. 



