BEAN GOOSE. 343 



observe," I remarked to my companion, after recovering my speci- 

 men, " how the pony pricked his ears at the geese?" " Deed aye, 

 sir," rejoined Allan, " I saw his lugs whyles pointed backwards" 



Mr Harvie Brown informs me that the Grey-lag still breeds in 

 some numbers in Sutherlandshire, and from Mr Elwes I have 

 learned that it is found in small flocks during the greater part of 

 the winter in various parts of Islay, where it is less plentiful than 

 the white-fronted goose. It is later in arriving than that species, 

 and leaves about the middle of April. Considerable numbers are 

 known to breed in the counties of Ross and Caithness, especially 

 on the islets on Loch Maree. 



THE BEAN GOOSE. 

 AN SEE SEGETUM. 



IN the Outer Hebrides the Bean Goose is a common winter visitant, 

 remaining on the outlying rocks and islets, especially in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Harris, as late as the beginning of June. Its nest has 

 never to my knowledge been discovered in any part of the Long 

 island, although it is stated by Macgillivray that it frequents the 

 Hebrides in summer. There can be no doubt that his observations 

 on this bird apply to the preceding species. According to Mr 

 Selby, the Bean Goose had been found breeding in several of the 

 Sutherlandshire lakes, but recent observers have failed to cor- 

 roborate his records. There may have been a mistake in the 

 species here also a circumstance hardly to be wondered at when 

 it is borne in mind that the grey -lag was then supposed to be a 

 comparatively rare bird, whereas it now turns out to be the only 

 native species inhabiting the north and north-western districts of 

 Scotland. 



Mr Elwes informs me that the Bean Goose is not uncommon in 

 some parts of Islay, but that it does not arrive there till January 

 or February. The flocks are not large, and the birds are very 

 wary. These are probably from some of the outer islands, where 

 they have exhausted their feeding grounds. The movements of 

 geese, indeed, are greatly influenced by this consideration. 



Throughout the winter months very large flocks of this species 

 frequent Montrose Basin at ebb tide, and the adjoining fields 

 when the vast stretch of mud and sand is covered. I have seen 



