398 GREY LAG-GOOSE. 
in the southern and western counties, though the species is less local 
than is generally supposed. There can, however, be little doubt 
that the majority go past our islands, to the south of Europe. 
Though now only a visitor to the Faeroes, the Grey Lag-Goose 
breeds in the south of Iceland, and is tolerably numerous during 
summer in Scandinavia; also in Russia as far south as the Caspian, 
as well as in the Black Sea district and along the valley of the 
Danube. A limited number breed in Denmark, and—very locally 
—in Holland and North Germany. Occasionally it has been 
known to nest in the south-west of Spain, where vast flocks are 
found in winter; in the Mediterranean basin, however, as well as 
over Central Europe, it is chiefly observed in cold weather. In 
Asia it seldom reaches the Arctic circle, and Mr. Popham did not 
meet with it on the Yenesei, while southward it (or a closely-allied 
form, A. rubrirostrts of Hodgson), extends to Canton in China, and 
Central India. 
The nest, generally placed among coarse grass or rank heather, 
though sometimes on a ledge of a crag, is composed of heather, small 
twigs, reeds, or moss, without any lining until the female has laid her 
eggs, which she then surrounds with down plucked from her breast. 
These, usually 5-6 in number, though 12 are said to have been found, 
are dull yellowish-white : measurements 3°5 by 2°4 in. In Scotland 
incubation generally begins about the middle of April, and after the 
females begin to sit the males leave them and collect in flocks at the 
nearest water. This Goose feeds on grass and other vegetable 
substances which are found inland, and—unless very much harassed 
—always by day; at night it betakes itself to promontories, sand- 
banks, and other spots difficult of access. On long flights, a change- 
able but more or less wedge-shaped formation is often assumed by 
flocks of this, as well as of all the other ‘Grey’ species, whence the 
term ‘a skein of Geese’; while old sportsmen usually spoke of a 
‘gaggle’: the latter term having reference, no doubt, to the noise 
made by the birds. 
The adult has a few white feathers round the base of the bill; 
the general plumage of the head, neck and upper parts greyish- 
brown ; lower breast and abdomen dull-white, with a few black spots. 
The distinguishing characteristics of the species are the bluish-grey 
rump and wing-coverts, flesh-coloured bill with a whzte nail at the 
tip, and flesh-coloured legs and feet. Length: male 34 in. ; wing 
17'5; female 30 in., wing 16 in. Weight 8-10 lbs. The young are 
darker than the adults, and have no black spots on the under parts. 
