278 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



one species. The eastern counties are, from the 

 nature of the wide open spaces found there, far 

 more favourable grazing - grounds for them than 

 any that could be found in the southern districts. 

 Those birds I have seen were probably tired-out 

 stragglers that had dropped from the main body 

 when on flight, to go forward again when thor- 

 oughly rested. Punt-fowlers rely on brent-geese 

 for sport and profit when fowling on the tide. 

 They do at times, in most extraordinary and ex- 

 ceptional circumstances, get a shot at grey geese, 

 but not very often. For these go to feed out in 

 the great open spaces, flying out to the sands and 

 sand-bars to rest and sleep, where there is not 

 the least chance of getting at them. 



The grey geese are far more plentiful in Scotland 

 and Ireland than in England. This we have no 

 cause to regret, for the birds graze very closely ; 

 and when they visit young crops it is a very seri- 

 ous matter, for they feed in the most systematic 

 manner. Having very powerful wings, great dis- 

 tances to them are as nothing in going out to 

 their feeding -grounds. To see them, if you did 

 not know a little about their movements, you 



