274 NATATORES. ANSER. GOOSE. 



ter, when winged or otherwise wounded, rendering it in such 

 case a very difficult bird to secure. Its geographical distri- 

 bution is confined to the northern parts of Europe and 

 North America. During the winter, besides the coasts of 

 our own islands, it is spread along those of Holland, France, 

 and parts of Germany, as well as of the more northern king- 

 doms. Occasionally, and under peculiar circumstances, these 

 birds have appeared in certain parts in unusual numbers. 

 Thus in the years 1739 and 1765, from the long continuance 

 of a strong north wind, they became so abundant on the 

 coast of Picardy, and committed such depredations on the 

 young corn in that district, that the inhabitants were com- 

 pelled to rise en masse, in order to destroy them ; and on 

 the English coast, during the same seasons, where food 

 failed the congregated numbers, they became so weak as to 

 be knocked down with sticks and stones. The same thing 

 occurred in the severe winter of 1803, when they were in- 

 numerable about Sandwich, and so much reduced in condi- 

 tion, as frequently not to be able to rise after alighting. 

 Their polar or summer migration is directed to very high 

 latitudes, where they breed, and rear their numerous young 

 Nest, &c. in quiet security. The nest is formed of vegetable materials, 

 in the swamps of those desolate regions, and they lay ten or 

 twelve white eggs. The trachea of the male bird is slightly 

 enlarged a little below the glottis, and again near its en- 

 trance within the merry-thought (ps furcatorius) ; below 

 which it becomes contracted, forming a narrow cartilaginous 

 tube. The bronchi are funnel-shaped, and composed of en- 

 tire solid rings. When captured alive, this goose may soon 

 be rendered very tame (as I have found from experience), 

 and being a bird of handsome figure, and light carriage, is 

 a considerable acquisition on large pieces of water. No 

 steady attempts, however, appear to have been yet made to 

 increase the breed in a domestic state, though as an article 

 of food it is superior to most of the Anatida, and equally 

 valuable in the quality of its feathers and down. When 



