DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 227 



tion of one of this bird's trivial names Lag 

 has given rise to much speculation, until Professor 

 Skeat^ apparently solved the riddle by suggesting 

 that the word which is an equivalent for late 

 applied to the bird's habit of lagging behind to 

 breed in the Fens, after other migratory Geese 

 had departed north. A few Gray Lag Geese 

 locally appear, chiefly on our eastern seaboard 

 in winter, and it is more than probable that, 

 normally, most of these birds are the individuals 

 still continuing to inhabit the British Islands. 

 These birds generally resort to the coast, fre- 

 quenting sand-banks and low islands during the 

 day, as a safe retreat in which to rest and sleep, 

 coming landwards again at dusk to feed. This 

 Goose, although gregarious during winter, seldom 

 or never consorts with other species, although 

 ready enough to mingle with its tame descendants 

 on the stubbles and pastures. Where not perse- 

 cuted, this Goose is a day feeder : but incessant 

 shooting has caused it to vary its habits in this 

 respect, and to defer its visits to dangerous 

 grounds until darkness has set in. It shows 

 little partiality for water, only resorting thereto 

 when alarmed, or during the helpless period 

 of its moult, when its quills all drop out together 

 and incapacitate it for flight. It swims well and 

 buoyantly, however, and when wounded has been 



* Ibis, 1870, p. 301. 



