362 BRITISH BIRDS. 



especially have a peculiar liarsli note, which is perhaps accounted 

 for by the large and peculiar enlarged end of the trachea. They 

 are mostly found in shallow fresh waters, where they hunt about 

 in the mud, but are also partly marine in habits. The young are 

 always precocious. Wild Ducks, Geese, and Swans are strictly 

 monogamous. We need here only consider the true Ducks, 

 Geese, and Swans. 



Amongst the Geese we find the following important genera : — 



1. Anser, in which the bill is nearly as long as the head ; 

 elevated and covered with skin at the base, the under mandible 

 always being smaller than the upper. The nostrils are placed 

 about the middle of the beak, and are pierced anteriorly, lateral 

 in position (fig. 188, a). Legs under the middle of the body. 



2. Bernicla, in which the bill is much shorter than the head, 

 edges nearly parallel, the lamellae being unseen. 



Geese (Anser and Beenicla). 



Geese are often plentiful in Great Britain. They appear in 

 flocks especially during the winter, when they have migrated 

 southwards. At least eight species have been recorded in our 

 islands. Of these the Grey Lag Goose {Anser ferus), the Bean 

 Goose {A. segetum), and the Brent Goose {Bernicla brenta) are 

 the most frequently seen inland, where they sometimes do slight 

 damage to various crops. The geese fly in two forms, either in 

 a V-shape or in a long wavy or slanting line. They especially 

 move on the wing at dusk and are gregarious. Most of the year 

 is spent in high latitudes. 



The Grey Lag Goose {A. ferus). — At one time this goose was 

 very abundant in England, now it is much scarcer ; yet I have 

 seen flocks in the eastern fen districts carrying destruction along 

 with them. The bill is flesh -colour, with a white nail; the 

 upper plumage ashy-brown, the feathers here and there bordered 

 with dusky- white ; the under-plumage is ashy-grey barred with 

 brown on the sides and beneath, pure white behind. The 



