55 



Order ANSERES. 



Family ANATID^E. 

 GREY LAG-GOOSE. Anser cinereus (Meyer). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, ' Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, pi. 1 ; 

 Dresser, ' Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 411 ; Lilford, 

 ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 20 ; Booth, 'Bough Notes,' 

 vol. iii, pi. 1 ; Alpheraky, Geese of Europe and Asia,' pL 3. 



The Grey Lag is the largest of the ' Grey ' Geese, 

 which visit the British Isles. The numbers which arrive 

 annually, as winter migrants, fluctuate considerably ; but, 

 on the whole, this Goose is not a numerous species. It is 

 met with in Ireland and Scotland more frequently than in 

 England and Wales. It usually appears about October, 

 and in some districts does not take its departure until the 

 end of April or the beginning of May. The Grey Lag- 

 Goose appears to be the ancestral stock from which our 

 farm-yard bird has sprung ; the latter not only approaches 

 it nearly in size and build, but also in certain plumage 

 markings which are often reproduced ; while the former is 

 readily tamed and will live in harmony with domestic 

 geese. 



' Gaggles ' of Grey Lag- Geese may be seen marching 

 along pasture-land, eagerly plucking the grass and clover. 

 This habit, also strongly developed in our farm-yard bird, 

 is not confined to the species under consideration ; in fact, 

 geese, as a race, are very fond of grass, and will ' graze,' 

 by preference, for a considerable time on the embankment 

 of an ornamental lake, where, in a state of captivity, they 

 are supplied amply with all sorts of good food. 



I have observed flocks of this species rise at dusk from 

 the sea, where they were resting during the greater part of 

 the day, and fly inland to feed on a marsh. 



