228 BRITISH BIRDS 



species), very dark in colour, very much smaller in size, and feeders 

 on the tidal flats. 



The grey lag is the largest species in the first group, and the 

 only goose that breeds within the limits of the United Kingdom. 

 It was formerly a common summer resident, and bred in the 

 eastern counties of England; it is now confined as a breeding 

 species to a few localities in Scotland and the Hebrides, arid in all 

 these last refuges it is said to be rapidly diminishing. That it will 

 diminish still further, until the vanishing-point is reached, hardly 

 admits of a doubt. As a winter migrant from northern Europe it 

 will long continue to visit our coasts, and as a domestic bird we 

 shall have it always with us ; for the grey lag is supposed to be 

 the species from which our familiar bird has descended. 



The grey lag goose pairs for life, and is gregarious, but is said 

 not to associate with geese of other species. It feeds on grass 

 and young shoots, and in the autumn on grain, and spends nearly 

 the whole day in feeding, and resorts at dark to some open level 

 space to roost, where it is almost impossible to approach within 

 gunshot of the flock, owing to its watchfulness. The grey lag makes 

 a large nest of reeds and grass, lined with moss, and lays six eggs, 

 sometimes a larger number. During incubation the gander keeps 

 guard over his mate, and afterwards assists her in rearing the 

 young. These are led back to the nest every evening by the goose, 

 and sleep under her wing. The male begins to moult a month 

 earlier than the female, and when the time comes he leaves her 

 in sole charge of the young, and withdraws to some hiding-place, 

 or spends the daylight hours on the water, coming to the land in 

 the evening to feed. The goose begins her moult after the young 

 are able to take care of themselves. 



The grey lag goose does not range so far north as the allied 

 species ; it is only in Norway, where the summer is longest, owing 

 to the influence of the Gulf Stream, that it is found nesting north 

 of the arctic circle. 



JBean-Goose. 

 Anser segetum. 



The bean-goose differs from the preceding species in its more 

 slender shape and longer bill, which is orange- colour in the middle, 

 black at the base and on the nail ; and in its darker colour and the 

 absence of black marks on the breast, and the bluish grey colour 



