Grey-Lag Goose 3 1 



Kamchatka, as is testified by both Pallas and Krasheninnikov, who quote the native names 

 under which it is known in the latter peninsula. In Siberia, this species ascends to the 

 Arctic circle only along the Obi, whence, to the east, the northern limit of its breeding-grounds 

 rapidly descends and hardly anywhere eastward of 8o° E. long, oversteps 56 N. lat. To 

 determine the southern limit of its nesting over this vast area is very difficult. Apparently, 

 however, the grey-lag goose breeds in Spain, and over the whole northern shore of the 

 Mediterranean, throughout Transcaucasia, and in Persia. It has not been yet found, 

 even wintering, in the north-eastern corner of Africa, neither has it been met with breeding 

 in India, where, as we shall see, it winters in enormous numbers. Przewalski found it breed- 

 ing on Lob-Nor, and it nests everywhere in Turkestan. As to European Russia, there is no 

 doubt that at a comparatively recent date there were far fewer spots where the grey-lag was 

 not known to breed than there are now. It is also beyond doubt that with every year the area 

 of its nidification is rapidly contracting in accordance with the growth of the population, 

 and also in consequence of the rapid strides in the diminution of inland waters. On all 

 sides lakes and fens are drying up or being destroyed ; rivers are lacking water, and the 

 secure and open situations so absolutely necessary for the propagation of this very timid and 

 shy bird are constantly becoming fewer and fewer. We learn from the Ptitsy Rossii of 

 Prof. Menzbier that this goose no longer breeds in Poland, that it has been expelled from the 

 Tula Government ; while from Mr. Lorenz we know that not only does the grey-lag no longer 

 breed in the Moscow Government, but that it is not now to be met with there even on 

 migration. Apparently, indeed, there are many other places in European Russia where this 

 bird has already ceased to breed. In European Russia, the northern limit of its breeding- 

 grounds crosses the Arctic circle and reaches as far as the Varanger Fjord. 



Messrs. Alston and Harvie-Brown Y saw many of these geese in the neighbourhood of 

 Archangel, and as they left this locality in July, it is clear that the birds were nesting. 



Farther to the south, it is found along the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. 



" The latter region extends into Finland proper, where the grey-lag breeds in the broad 

 coast zone of the Gulfs of Bothnia and Finland, being common in the Uleaborg Government 

 and scarce farther south," writes Prof. Menzbier. Whether this bird occurs on migration in 

 the interior of Finland I cannot say, although I have observed for several years running flights 

 of geese and swans on one of the lakes of the Vyborg Government. I have not once seen 

 specimens, but from inquiries among the inhabitants, I conclude that at times, although 

 rarely, large bean-geese (Metsanhanhi), lighter in colour than the common type, alight on 

 their passage. It is well known that the grey-lag nests here and there among the lakes of 

 the Baltic provinces. Its breeding in the St. Petersburg Government is now thoroughly 

 established. For instance, as I am informed by Mr. V. L. Bianchi, at the " Seraya Loshad " 

 headland, Peterhof district, three or four pairs yearly build their nests, and the young are 

 then reared by the peasants. Thus, on July 7, 1900, three broods of 7, 5, and 12 birds 

 were observed there ; and 4 goslings of the size of the mother shot. This goose un- 

 doubtedly breeds also at the present time in the Governments of Pskov, Novgorod, Kiev, 

 Chernigov, Bessarabia, on the swampy eyots of the Dniester and Dnieper, and over the whole 

 of South Russia including the Crimea, the lower reaches of the Don, the whole of the Northern 

 Caucasus (Kuban, Terek, etc.), the Manych Steppe, 2 Transcaucasia, and the islands (and pre- 

 sumably shores) of the Caspian. It is very abundant in suitable spots of Transcaspia, as, 



1 Ibis, 1873, P. 7o. 



2 That geese breed on the Manych Steppe is an undoubted fact, but of what species I could not ascertain, although they can only 

 be grey-lag. 



