220 



grain. Sir William Jardine says, "On the north-eastern 

 shores of England, where we have had opportunity of see- 

 ing them, they might be considered entirely maritime, not 

 being known to leave the water-mark or ever to feed on the 

 pastures or young grain. During ebb-tide they feed on the 

 banks of Zoster a marina then uncovered ; and Mr. Selby 

 mentions the Viva latusima as very frequently found in 

 their stomachs ; at other times they rest on the sandbanks, 

 which are quite open, and afford no shelter for approach, or 

 they ride, as it were, just off the land, buoyant upon the 

 wave, and occasionally pluck the sea-grass or weeds which 

 are yet borne up within their reach. " This species breeds 

 in northern latitudes, and some of the eggs were brought 

 to this country by the officers of one of the Arctic expedi- 

 tions. The eggs differ from those of the other geese (which 

 are originally pure white or cream-coloured), in having a 

 slight tinge of brownish colouring. 



THE EED-BREASTED GOOSE. Anser rnficollis. This is 

 one of the rarest European birds, and has occurred more 

 frequently in Britain than elsewhere, but in no recorded in- 

 stance north of Berwick-on-Tweed. Scarcely anything is 

 known of its habits. It is said to breed on the shores of 

 the Frozen Ocean. 



