218 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



of the Bean Goose in size, shape, and colour, are reported 

 to be four or five in number. Our domestic Geese are sup- 

 posed to have been derived from the present species. 



THE PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. Anser brachyrynckus. There 

 is again a considerable resemblance between the Bean Goose 

 and the present, but the smaller size of the Pink-footed, the 

 comparative shortness of its beak, and the colour of its legs 

 and feet, serve to distinguish between them. The present 

 bird breeds in great numbers in the small islands of the 

 Sound of Harris, as well as those of the interior of North 

 Uist, parts of the western islands of Scotland. The eggs, 

 which are white, are less than those of the two preceding 

 species ; as many as eight eggs have been known to be laid 

 by this bird, but the average number we do not know. 



THE WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albi/rons. This is 

 a winter visitant only to this country, but does not breed 

 here. It is common in Sweden and Lapland, and breeds 

 in both countries. The egg is white. 



THE BERNICLE GOOSE. Anser leucopsls. This Goose is 

 also a winter visitant along our shores, appearing in large 

 flocks on the western coasts, but being sparingly distributed 

 on the eastern. The Bernicle is said to breed in Iceland, 

 Spitzbergen, Greenland, Lapland, the north of Russia and 



