Gray Lag Goose. 455 



with the utmost buoyancy and ease, and thoroughly at home, 

 and even sleeping on the waves. 



ANATID^E (THE DUCKS). 



This very large family comprises not only the almost innu- 

 merable species of Ducks proper, but also the Geese, the Swans, 

 and the Mergansers. They are all of one general uniform 

 character, and their structure, as well as habits, are too well 

 known to require comment. The distinguishing mark of this 

 family, wherein its several members partake in a greater or less 

 degree, and wherein they differ from the remaining families of 

 the Order, centres in the beak, which is of a broad, flattened 

 form, of a softer consistence than is seen in others, and covered 

 with an epidermis or skin, excepting at the tip, which is fur- 

 nished with a horny nail. There are other peculiarities regard- 

 ing the beaks of these birds, suited to the special requirements 

 of the individual species ; but in all the family the edges of the 

 mandibles are provided with plates, rugosities, or even hooks, 

 more or less developed, which are serviceable either in seizing 

 and holding the slippery prey on which they feed, or in sepa- 

 rating and removing the mud which unavoidably accompanies its 

 capture. For the same purpose their tongues are usually very 

 large, thick, fleshy, and extremely rough. 



175. GRAY LAG GOOSE (Anser ferus). 



This is the true original Wild Goose, as its specific name ferus 

 implies, the Wild Goose par excellence, and above all its con- 

 geners, though in point of numbers some of them may now 

 exceed it. Moreover, it is generally allowed to be the origin of 

 our domestic species, and was at one time common enough in 

 this county, but has now become extremely rare, since the 

 draining of our fens and marshes : for in the good old times 

 before so much waste land was reclaimed, it used to be a per- 

 manent resident in England, breeding regularly in Lincolnshire 

 and other fen districts, and from thence wandering in winter 

 over the southern and western counties. Colonel Montagu 



