BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 151 



v 



wild, and less cautious in the choice of a feeding- 

 ground*; and consequently we now and then find 

 it in the local game-shops. 



201. ANSER LEUCOPSIS, Bechstein. Bernicle Goose. 

 Provincial. Spanish Goose. 



I have in some years met with flocks of these Geese 

 in our North-Lincoln marshes, as well as along the 

 coast, where it is known to our shooters by the name 

 of the Spanish Goose. It cannot, however, be con- 

 sidered common in this neighbourhood. There were 

 several small flocks about the river-fiats in the month 

 of December 1867, which season was an exception- 

 ally mild one. In those years when they visit us, they 

 resort principally to the mud-flats, seldom leaving the 

 neighbourhood of the riyer. At low water I have 

 known flock after flock pass up the Humber, flying 

 along the tide- edge and following the course of the 

 stream to their feeding-grounds. 



Mr. Boulton has had this Goose from the neighbour- 

 hood of Flamborough ; a fine old male which he 



* Mr.St. John, 'Nat. Hist and Sport in Moray/ page 104, says, 

 "it is more easy to approach than any other wild Goose ; and 

 I have often found it feeding in small hollows and spots easily 

 got at, JKhere the Bean-Goose would never trust itself." 



Mr. Strickland (Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Feb- 

 ruary 1859) writes, " It is not, and probably never was, a regular 

 migratory or abundant species in this country, but is occasionally 

 found in hard weather, singly or in small groups, frequenting 

 river-sides or small streams, and, I believe, is never found in the 

 open country." 



