Wanderings of a Naturalist 



cease feeding, standing erect and on the alert, but they can see 

 nothing suspicious, so resume their meal. I am interested in 

 noting that they feed just as readily down as up wind, though 

 in the former position — a position which most birds are 

 reluctant to assume — the strong breeze ruffles their feathers 

 considerably. After about forty minutes' continuous grazing 

 the geese, one by one or in small companies, walk over to 

 where a pool of water lies on the field, the result of a recent 

 storm. Here they drink copious draughts with evident relish 

 and, refreshed, resume their feeding. An hour and a half 

 after their arrival I can count sixteen out of the forty resting 

 on the grass, some of them asleep with heads tucked away 

 am.ong their feathers. One bird is too lazy on awaking to 

 rise to his feet, and crops the grass as he rests on the ground. 

 One or two individuals enjoy a bath in the pool, throwing the 

 water over their backs with great gusto, and forcing it beneath 

 their wings. Their bath over they waddle to the edge of the 

 pool, flapping their wings vigorously. 



Although so many of the geese are together, the birds feed 

 in complete harmony, and on one occasion only during the 

 hour and a half's close observation do I see an individual 

 show any signs of hastiness of temper. Near to the grey 

 geese many lapwings are courting and "displaying," and 

 three brown hares are sparring. In the little pool a 

 pair of redshank are feeding, and a curlew stalks sedately 

 near. 



I expect the geese to rest awhile after so prolonged a 

 spell of feeding, but after a few minutes those asleep rouse 

 themselves, stretching wings and legs, and recommence their 

 grazing. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the whole com- 

 pany rises together with many honking cries pitched in far 

 different keys, making for the Fenham Slakes, where they 

 alight near the edge of the water, many of their number again 

 dropping off to sleep. But their dozing is soon interrupted 

 by the quickly flowing spring tide. At first the geese en- 

 deavour to avoid the incoming water by walking towards the 



la 



