GREY-LAG GOOSE. 119 



towards the river, and then rising again. On a near approach, 

 he perceived that its object was to take a Wild-Goose, which 

 had alighted on the water, and which was dipping to avoid 

 so powerful an enemy. Its efforts, however, appeared to be 

 in vain, and after diving again and again, and as often rising 

 to get breath, it became nearly exhausted; when suddenly 

 turning, it made for the shore with all speed towards the 

 officer's house, where two men were at work, and, as soon 

 as it had landed, walked leisurely up to them, permitting 

 itself to be taken without attempting to escape. It was 

 completely exhausted, but soon recovered, and within three 

 days seemed quite contented and confident of protection." 



In the spring of the year the young males have frequent 

 contests, holding one another by the neck and beating with 

 their wings till one is obliged to yield; the females are 

 spectators, but not silent ones, keeping up a constant cackling, 

 expressive of encouragement, to continue the fight, or exhorta- 

 tive to peace. Wild-Geese are good to eat when fed on the 

 land. They are very shy and vigilant birds, and can only 

 be approached on open ground by stalking, and that of the 

 most careful kind. Sentinels are always on the look-out, to 

 give immediate notice of the approach of danger, and on 

 the slightest alarm the whole flock takes wing. They usually 

 retire at night to the water, but watch is still kept by 

 sentries who take their turns in the office. 



They feed on grasses of various kinds, the young blades of 

 corn, water-plants, clover, and other herbage, as also seeds, 

 grain, barley, it is said, and oats, especially, and often do 

 considerable damage among the young crops. 



The voice, a, clangulous call, is the echo of the harsh cry 

 of the common species. It is very frequently uttered, especially 

 when the bird is flying, or if a companion be met with. 



The nest of this Goose is made of grass, rushes, leaves, or 

 dry stalks of plants, under cover of some rushes or osiers, 

 and is well lined with feathers. It is large in size, and is 

 located in a marsh, or by the border of a lake or inland sea. 

 The male keeps guard near it while his partner sits. 



The eggs are said to be commonly four or five in number, 

 but to amount also to as many as twelve or fourteen, the 

 former the produce of younger, and the latter of older birds; 

 eight or nine the intermediate quantity. They are of a dull 

 yellowish white, smooth and shining in appearance. 



Meyer says, 'The female is very careful in covering the 



