GREY GEESE. 207 



is of the first importance to discriminate between the grain 

 and the chaff of ornithological literature. Many writers 

 have drawn conclusions from grounds which are far too 

 slight, or insufficient, while others perpetuate error by simply 

 transcribing the mistakes of their predecessors, or create a 

 fresh set by substituting for missing facts a mere maze of 

 guess-work. Such devices may serve the purpose of making 

 their writers' books appear more "complete"; but it is 

 infinitely preferable to be honest, to admit deficiencies in 

 knowledge, and to indicate the points which remain in doubt. 

 Those whose knowledge is the most complete will be the 

 first to acknowledge the justice of these remarks. 



Well, leaving for the present the doubtful ground of 

 specific identity, the ordinary life-habits of the Grey Geese 

 group are more easily diagnosed. They are among the 

 earlier arrivals of our winter wildfowl. The middle of 

 October is about the average date at which the Geese arrive 

 in bulk ; but the vanguard frequently appears in September, 

 and exceptional occurrences even earlier. October is, how- 

 ever, the month when their Y-shaped skeins are most often 

 seen crossing the skies each pack bound direct to some 

 definite point, some resort they have perhaps frequented for 

 centuries. We will accompany one of these skeins and 

 follow their movements. First, as to the physical character 

 and natural features of the locality which they seek for their 

 winter abode. Grey Geese, unlike their somewhat distant 

 relatives the Brents, claim to share the fruits of the earth 

 with their arch-enemy, man. Grain is what they want, and, 

 despite the most deeply-rooted fear and suspicion of our 

 race, they will have it, and will frequent the arable lands so 

 long as a stubble remains unploughed. After that, they 

 will content themselves with the tender blades of clover or 

 of meadow-grass ; or perhaps will wing their way south- 

 wards to lands where a more bountiful nature, or a lazier 

 race, dispense entirely with the plough. Feeding on the 

 open corn-lands by day, their next desideratum is security 

 by night. Inland they spend the hours of darkness in the 

 centre of extensive pastures or an undisturbed lake or pool ; 

 but on the coast, if Anser cinereus could define his beau 



