204 THE BIRDS OF DEVOX. 



various ways. Tho young Ducks they have but little trouble with. 

 When they come on land from an aquatic excursion, pretty much 

 fatigued, the Crows pounce on them from some tree, where they have 

 been waiting patiently for some time watching for a chance. Some time 

 ago, one morning, I noticed a brood of ten pretty little Egyptian Goslings 

 on the water. The next morning, on again passing the spot, there were 

 but nine. The old birds were quite proud, and very attentive, and 

 strictly guarding their family. But I could tell by their harsh cackle 

 that an enemy was near at hand. On looking about 1 spied a pair of 

 sleek shiny-looking Crows, quietly perched on some large limbs of spread- 

 ing trees that extended nearly to the water's edge on the south side, 

 where the old Geese intended to land their family. The Crows knew 

 well enough where they would land, and, no doubt, made a shrewd guess 

 about the time they would do so. Xow, the Geese knew well enough 

 the Crows Avere there waiting for them, as evinced by their cackle, and 

 manoeuvring, and sti'ict attention. They did not intend their enemy 

 should deprive them of any more of their brood. This was a deej) laid 

 plan indeed. Just as the old Goose came ashore, down came one of the 

 Crows, hopping and jumping just ahead of her. The Goose bolted after 

 the Crow, the Goslings running and scjuealing in single file after her, the 

 Gander keeping guard beliind. At this moment down pounces the other 

 Crow, and knocked down one of the foremost Goslings, turning the poor 

 thing over. The old Gander, however, was too quick. Before the Crow 

 could get off his booty, he was up lull mouthed, and then what a row 

 and cackling all at once I The old (ioose ran back, got her brood together, 

 and galhercd tliem over, close to the butt of a large tree, the Gander 

 keeping strict guard. The pair of Crows kept liopping, and jumping, and 

 running about and around, at a respectful distance, till they found tho 

 game was up. At the same time a brood of seven landed on the other 

 side of the lake, and were quickly observed by the Crows. One of the 

 Crows flew straight across, and caught up a Gosling in an instant, and 

 made off with it before the parents could either shield their brood, or give 

 battle. A terrible outcry and cackling were all that could be done to 

 warn their neiglibours that an enemy was at hand. I have seen many 

 and various fights and plunderings such as these, and believe the Carrion- 

 Crow to be a match for any bird in craftiness." 



J\Ir. Coinyns had aa Ejiyptian Goose in his collection which was killed on the 

 Warren [at the mouth of the Exe probablv, and not near Sidinoiith as stated] (E. M., 

 Trans. Pljni. Inst. 18:30, p. ,'(43). In 183iJ, Mr. F. W. L. Boss records (MS. Journal, 

 ii. p. IT) that one was seen on the Exe some vears previously, and he himself had 

 Been three on the river near the sea, which were very wild, but tliat he killed two of 

 them. One shot on the coast was bought in Exeter Market by I^r. Scott in January 

 1S49 (Zool. 1.S41J, p. lioS")). Specimens occurred on the Exe in LS.'O, February 18.'),'), 

 and at other dates, the last in May 1^91. One was preserved in the Sands Hotel, 

 Sla])ton Ley, which had been shot there. We saw this bird in a case at the hotel 

 in January 185t). A fine male was killed there Jaiuuny \'2ih, 1885 (R. P. N., Zool. 

 ISSo, p. (i8). Some were obtained on the Laira, apparently wild, in 1860 (J. B. R., 

 Trans. Plym. lust. 18fVJ-3, p. 77) and in 1871 (B., MS. No'es). 



This Goose has also been shot on several occasions on the Taw. One out of a flock 

 in May 1805 (G. F. M., ' iXaturalist,' 1800, p. 300); one April 1807 (Zool. 1807, 



