CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE BEAN GOOSE. 



(Anser ferusj. 



1 But this I know, that thou art very fine, 

 Seasoned with sage, with onions and port wine." 



SOUTHEY'S Lines to a Goose. 



THIS species, termed the " common wild -goose," is generally 

 abundant in this country in winter ; but its movements are much in 

 keeping with the weather. When too severe in the north of England, 

 these birds proceed towards the south. The habits of the bean-goose are 

 nearly identical with those of the grey-lag : they fly out to sea by day, 

 and inland by night ; feeding on growing corn, young clover, turnip- 

 tops, or almost any green cultivated substance. In early spring they 

 alight in green bean fields, where they feed greedily sometimes 

 doing considerable injury to the plant. They are also to be met with 

 occasionally, on moors and green plains ; but they are at all times 

 wary, and will tax the sportsman's cunning to get at them. The 

 clamour of their gabbling and cackling may sometimes be heard 

 at a long distance. These also fly in wedge-like form and 

 catenarian figures, when in large gaggles. A small number fly in a 

 straight line one behind the other. When the wind is high, and 

 accompanied by snow and sleet, they fly low in the air : the shore- 

 gunner may then often bring them down by watching on the beach 

 standing perfectly still. They then sometimes fly so near as to give 

 him a fine chance of a shot. 



THE WHITE-FRONTED OR LAUGHING GOOSE ( Anas albifrons), 

 also termed the " bar-goose," from the dark-coloured bars across the 

 breast, is a bird of beautiful plumage, but of inferior value as an 

 edible one not even so good as the grey-goose. In size it is a little 

 larger than the Brent, but not so large as the grey-goose. It is a 

 regular winter visitant to the British Isles, though in numbers more 



