THE GREY LAG GOOSE. 45 



wkicli abound in the lake ; and an old swan which frequents it 

 also kills them, in addition to disturbing and beating the old 

 birds. These geese are as free as in a state of nature, but gene- 

 rally admit of a pretty near approach on the banks of the lake, 

 their chief resort, and then take flight either across the water, 

 which is about an English furlong and a half in circuit, or alight 

 in the middle of it, where they are free from intrusion. In 

 severe weather they not only permit a close approach, but come 

 to be fed. 



For the whole of this interesting information I am indebted to 

 the kindness of Lord Enniskillen, who told me of this singular flock, 

 and had all my queries respecting it replied to, the chief in- 

 formant being an old man resident at Castle Coole for sixty years. 

 One of the birds was shot and sent to me on the 14th of this 

 month, that I might satisfy myself respecting the species. 

 This was a very old male, ll|-lbs. imperial weight, and much 

 the handsomest in plumage that I had ever seen, but rendered 

 imperfect as a specimen, by a vile practice in this country, with 

 respect to wild geese, of pulling out the quills, which renders 

 the birds unfit to be " set up." The tarsi, toes, and webs of the 

 feet were of a flesh-colour similar to that of the human hand ; 

 bill flesh-red with pale orange towards the base of both mandibles. 

 Nad. of bill, white ; that of middle toe, dark grey ; of outer toes, 

 white : irides hazel. The blackish markings on the breast and 

 belly appeared as in the other Irish specimens noticed at pp. 28 

 and 29. The gizzard contained the remains of vegetable matter 

 and a quantity of small pebbles. Though the skin of tliis bird 

 was preserved, the body was cooked, and was partaken of by 

 several persons, all of whom considered the flesh of a delicate 

 flavour, though it was hard and tough, probably from \M\nt of 

 being long enough kept ; it was very dark in colour. 



