ANSER. 115 



Genus ANSER, Brisson, Ornith. vi. p. 261 (1760). 



Anser = a Goose, in classical Latin ; cognate with xiyv, Sanskrit kansas, 

 German Gans (our " Gander "), Norse gaas, Anglo-Sax. gos = goose, gandra — 

 gander, ganot = gannet, Bng. Goose ; originally hanser. Probably from the 

 root of xaiVitf, x^<"'<^ = I gape. 



Anser cinereus. Geey Lag Goose. 



Anser cinereus, Meyer, Taschent). deutsch. Vogelk. ii, 



p. 553 (1810). 



Anas Anser, Linnaeus, S. N. i. p. 197 (1766). 



Anser ferus, Macg. iv. p. 589 ; Hewitson, p. 382 ; Gray, 

 p. 186; Yarp, ed. 2, iii. p. 140 j id. ed. 3, iii. p. 145; 

 Gould, V. pi. 1 ; Harting, p. 59. 



Anser cinereus, Naum. xi. p. 229 ; Dresser, vi. p. 355. 



The Grey-legged Goose, Yarr. ed. 1, iii. p. 53. 



Cinereus = ash-ooloured ; from cineres = ashes. 



The Grey Lag still breeds in considerable numbers in the 

 northern parts of Scotland and its islands, visiting Ireland 

 and England from autumn to spring. It inhabits the Palse- 

 arctic Region, and winters in India and North Africa. 



Anser segetum. Bban-Goose. 



Anas segetum, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. i. p. 512 (1788). 

 Anser segetum, Naum. xi. p. 302; Macg. iv. p. 595 ; Hewit- 

 son, p. 385 ; Gray, p. 186; Yarr. ed. 2, iii. p. 148; id. 

 ed. 3, iii. p. 153; Gould, v. pi. 2 ; Harting, p. 59 ; Dresser, 

 vi. p. 363. 

 An,ser arvensis, Naum. xi. p. 277. 

 The Bean Goose, Yarr. ed. 1, iii. p. 59. 

 Segetwm, genitire plural of seges = a cornfield. 



Common in autumn and winter in Scotland, Ireland, and 

 the northern and eastern districts of England ; less frequent 

 southwards. It inhabits the Palsearctic Region, migrating 

 nearly as far south as 30° N. lat. 



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