202 THE BIRDS OF DEYOX. 



"with in spring and summer as well. As they have been almost totally 

 destroyed at Uictou, where once they were so numerous, it is probable 

 that there will not be so many occurrences in future in the south of the 

 county as formerly. 



In 1S68 Mr. James Barnes, the head gardener at Bicton, published in 

 the ' Exeter Gazette ' a very graphic account of the habits of the Egyptian 

 Goose as observed by him there, and it is so interesting that we think it 

 worthy of being reprinted in e.vtenso, and accordingly subjoin it, feeling 

 sure our readers will appreciate the quaintness of the style : — 



" This is no doubt one of the most savage and pugnacious water-fowls 

 we have here, and there are many of them. They liy about in large 

 flocks to and fro, from lake to sea. These are their favourite feeding- 

 grounds, though they range much for the sake of change, and have a rare 

 taste for the best and freshest piece of watered meadow, or any other 

 warm spots, where fresh and nice green-growing grass is to be found 

 throughout the winter months. They are not silent at all, but go about 

 prating and making a harsh gurgling noise as they fly, which may be 

 heard a long distance off. Hero they pair in the month of November, 

 and at that season many fights take place, and there is an immense deal 

 of chattering and noise as they fly from tree to tree. The highest and 

 largest limbs of the great sjireading oaks in the park are their favourite 

 places of resort, and here they spend much of their time prating and 

 flghting, till tliey knock each other oft'. Then they take a little rest, and 

 away to the water to fight it out. Here again they go at it in earnest, 

 and batter each other with all their might, with wings spread and beaks 

 open, and their heads looking twice tluir natural size. Very often one 

 tikes the advantage, as quickly as lightning, of thrusting its beak through 

 the other's open mouth, grinding its tongue and the lower half of its beak 

 with impetuous strength and savagery. Presently the weakest one 

 becomes exluiusted, and the other, taking instant advantage of this, is on 

 its back, to keep it under water, pecking and hammering away at its 

 head the moment it ventures above water, and as soon as possible gets 

 tight hold of the hea.d, and holds it under water for so long at times, that 

 one would never expect to see it above again alive. But I saw what I 

 considered a greater act of cruelty the other day in passing through the 

 park. Many pairs were prating away on the outspreading limbs of an 

 immense oak. A pair fell to fighting, and down they came close to me 

 on the grass. How they did batter each other with the elbow, or spur, 

 of their wings ! Then they made a change in the figliting by hammering 

 each other's lieads. They were soon open-mouthed, with their tongues 

 loose, as it were, in the centre of their beaks. One took instant advan- 

 tage, seized the other's tongue full grip, and tugged and tv/isted it in a 

 manner horrible to behold. This act of cruelty I determined to put a 

 stop to, and instantly parted them. But the peace was soon broken 

 again ; they flew to the lake, and there they went at it as vigorously as 

 ever. There, of course, I left them to finish their battle in their usual 

 way. 



" The Egyptian Goose, notwithstanding its pugnacious propensities, is 



