Grey-Lag Goose 29 



quite wanting. In some the cap and back of the upper neck are conspicuously darker ; in 

 some they are absolutely uniform in colour with the rest of the neck. Generally the whole 

 tone of the plumage varies much more than it usually does in wild birds, or than it does 

 in any other goose with which I am acquainted ; x and though the brownest is never so 

 brown as either segetum, brachyrhynchus? albifrons, or minntus, and the greyest never so 

 grey as indicus (B. indicci), still some are very much darker and browner, and some very 

 much paler and greyer than others." 



Notwithstanding the seemingly especially great tendency to variation of different 

 individuals of this species noted by Mr. Hume, I must say that from the material I 

 have examined, as well as from the comparison of descriptions, I have come to the conclusion 

 that the individual variation in the colouring of the plumage and of the naked parts in all 

 species of geese is subject to innumerable changes, making it absolutely impossible to give 

 a description capable of completely suiting each separate specimen of a given species. 



The same variations mentioned by Mr. Hume in regard to the grey-lag are also met 

 with in no less degree in the greater and lesser white-fronted geese. 



Having once touched on the question of the variable coloration of the grey-lag, I 

 may here also point out the reasons which induce me to make no distinction between the 

 European and Asiatic birds, although such a distinction has latterly been recognised 

 by many ornithologists. Pallas held that the Siberian bird is distinguished from the 

 European form both by its greater size and brighter-coloured bill, eyelids, and feet, as well 

 as by the richer colouring of the plumage. Much later, as appears from the synonyms 

 quoted above, the oriental form was separated by various authors under the name of 

 rubrirostris, by some as only a variety, by others as an independent species. 



And yet, so far as I have been able to convince myself from the careful investigation 

 of this question, there can hardly be found sufficient grounds for splitting the grey-lag goose 

 into two geographical races, much less into two species. I will strive to prove this as shortly 

 and clearly as possible. 



Pallas states that the Siberian variety is larger than the European form ; but this on 

 comparison of the measurements and weight of birds given by other authors, is not the case. 

 Even the great weight of certain Transcaspian specimens quoted by Mr. Zhitnikov, namely 

 12 lbs., does not exceed that of some West European individuals, given, for example by 

 Naumann, who reports giants of \b\ lbs. ! According to this extremely careful and well- 

 informed ornithologist, 1 1 -lb. grey-lag geese often occur. Mr. Hume, who cites dimensions and 

 weight of grey-lag geese obtained by him in India, where beyond doubt the form mbrirostris 

 should occur, says that their weight varied between 5 lbs. 12 oz. and 8 lbs. 14 oz. and that 

 not a single specimen weighed a full 9 lbs. As regards dimensions, we also see that only 

 in rare cases do Indian specimens excel the European, and this too, it must be surmised 

 because among the number of geese killed there giants sometimes occur of 35 in. ( = 889 mm.) 

 in length, which must undoubtedly be birds of very great age. It must further be remembered 

 that Mr. Hume, who personally shot in India several thousand grey-lag geese, attributes 

 such size to their age. 



Although, of course, no small number of these birds are shot in Europe, yet there is 

 hardly a sportsman reckoning his bag of geese by thousands. Besides this, it is beyond 

 doubt that in Europe adult, yet comparatively young, birds are far more often killed than old 



1 The white-fronted goose is subject to similar great variations, 

 2 Not brachyrhynchus, but neglectus, Sushkin, 



