THE ZooLocist—FrEsruary, 1872. 2931 
* Wild Geese.—More numerous than has been the case for many 
years. 1 see considerable numbers occasionally in early morning 
or evening fly to and from their feeding-grounds. On the after- 
noon of the 13th, about 4.30 p.m., three skeins of geese passed 
over. The first lot flew in an immense VY: I counted up to one 
hundred and twenty, and had not then got through them: the other 
flocks followed at half-minute intervals, and each contained about 
the same number of geese as the first. These geese all belonged 
to the same species, our common bean goose: this I know, not 
only from their call-note, but also from specimens I have examined. 
Although we occasionally meet with the short-billed goose (Anser 
brachyrhynchus), itis, 1 consider, anything but a common species, 
occurring either singly or a few together, and not in large flocks 
like the bean goose. I have seen this season only one white- 
fronted goose, which flew over at a considerable height, but was 
readily distinguishable by its wild eerie laugh or cry, like the rude 
“hhah-ha, hah-ha, hah-ha, hah-ha, ha-a-a-a.” 
Fieldfare.—The fieldfare appeared in flocks inland in this county 
about the last week in October. The first I saw was on the 15th 
of November, and this was a bird with a slight sprain or injury of 
one carpal joint, from which it very quickly recovered. It was 
caught by one of my men on the sea-embankment early in the 
morning. There was a second and very considerable arrival in 
our lowlands early in December, just before the redwings and 
thrushes. 
Golden Plover.—November 18th. During the morning large 
flights passed across the marsh from S.E. to N.W.; flocks also, 
containing several hundreds, on the same day, settled for a few 
hours in the pastures and stubbles. Specimens shot were large 
heavy birds and very fat: in size they more resembled pigeons 
than the usual run of golden plover. Since this day they have 
been very scarce, probably in consequence of the almost con- 
stant frost preventing their feeding. On the 5th of December 
I observed several following the ploughs, crowding into the 
opening furrow after the ploughman, and eagerly picking out the 
worms and grubs with all the boldness and familiarity of the rook 
and gull. 
_ Tree Sparrow.—November 25th. Shot two from a small flock on 
some barley-stubble: are not nearly so numerous this winter as is 
generally the case. 
