354 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



it has occurred in every country of Europe, except the Spanish 

 peninsula. The only evidence of this bird extending its 

 wanderings southwards to Africa is that it is figured with unmis- 

 takable accuracy on some of the ancient Egyptian papyri, and on 

 the tombs of her kings ; whilst coming to modern times an 

 example of the Red-breasted Goose, labelled " Alexandria,'' is in 

 the collection of Lord Lilford, whilst Mr. Saunders records skins 

 on sale in 1884 said to have come from Algeria. 



Allied Forms. — None of sufficient propinquity to call for 

 notice. 



Time during which the Red-breasted Goose may be 

 taken. — August ist to March ist. 



Habits. — Although the habits of this beautiful Goose are but 

 little known, they appear to resemble very closely those of allied 

 species. The Russian naturalist Radde states that it winters in 

 great numbers on the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, and that 

 during this season and whilst on migration it congregates into 

 large flocks. It is shy and very difficult to approach. The Red- 

 breasted Goose is a day feeder like the Brent Goose, but comes 

 inland to do so like the Bernacle Goose. Radde states that the 

 flocks visit the inland pastures during the day, but at the 

 approach of night return to the sea, and pass that period some 

 considerable distance from land. During heavy falls of snow 

 which cover its feeding grounds, great numbers of this Goose 

 are caught in nets spread on places where the snow has been 

 cleared away for the purpose. Many birds are also shot during 

 their migration as the thousands of flocks pass along certain 

 routes towards the Arctic regions where they rear their young. The 

 food of this Goose consists principally of grass, and the leaves 

 and shoots of other herbage. The flight note is described by 

 Pallas and other naturalists as resembling the syllables shak-voy, 

 but when feeding a short trumpet-Hke cry is uttered somewhat 

 similar that of the Brent Goose. 



Nidification. — Von Middendorff obtained the first authentic 

 eggs of the Red-breasted Goose on the banks of the Boganida in 

 Northern Siberia on the 6th of July. Another nest was discovered 

 on July ist, on an island in the delta of the Petchora, containing 

 two eggs, one of which was broken, as the female was shot upon 



