io2 Geese of Europe and Asia 



the subject. This is explained by English ornithologists as due to t-fie contraction of the 

 range of the former species, in consequence of the ever-increasing area under cultivation. It 

 is probable, indeed, that at the beginning of the nineteenth century the yellow-bill bred in 

 Great Britain, and that it was then distinguished locally, under the name of the carr-lag, 

 from the grey-lag. It was on this ground that Mr. Strickland described it under the name 

 of Anser paludosus ; and if the A. paludosus figured by Mr. Coburn in the Zoologist of 1902 

 really represents the bird which Mr. Strickland described under that name, there is not the 

 least doubt that this is the same as Melanonyx arvensis of Brehm. 



On migration the yellow-billed goose occurs, and always in considerable numbers, 

 over the whole of the continent of Western Europe, where it is everywhere more abundant 

 than M. segetum. Whether or not this goose strays in winter into Eastern Persia and 

 Northern India remains at present a moot question. It must, however, be borne in mind 

 that although there is nothing improbable in the bird occasionally visiting India, yet it 

 certainly does not regularly winter there. On the other hand, a more probable explanation 

 is that in India specimens of Ж neglectus have been taken for this goose. 



In the notice on the bean-goose I have already expressed my opinion as to the 

 erroneous determination of the countless flocks recorded from the Volga and Kama. I think, 

 indeed, that the majority of the migrants there will prove to belong to the yellow-billed 

 species, and that the colouring of the bill of young individuals, so nearly resembling that of 

 M. segetum, will be found to be the chief cause of the confusion. 



If the yellow-billed species occurs on migration almost everywhere in European Russia 

 and Western Europe, this by no means proves that it halts everywhere on its way. It 

 hardly, for example, alights at all in those parts of the Azov district where for many years in 

 succession I observed vast flights of grey-lags, and of greater and lesser white-fronted geese. 

 A statement by Mr. F. K. Lorenz to the effect that in the Moscow Government the yellow- 

 billed species is an ordinary migrant, while the bean-goose is rare, indicates that this 

 ornithologist is one of the few who distinguish between these geese. The countless gaggles 

 observed on passage (especially during the spring migration, when large numbers are taken) 

 on Lake Ilmen belong almost wholly to the yellow-billed goose ; and the same may be said 

 with regard to the flocks visiting the Ryazan Government and the whole of Turkestan. 



Personally, it is matter for regret that neither Mr. Seebohm, Mr. Trevor- Battye, nor 

 other explorers of the bird-fauna of the North were able to distinguish between these two 

 geese. Had they done so, they might have thrown much light on the question of their 

 geographical distribution, while, as it is, their observations and labours are almost valueless 

 in this respect. It may be added that in the summer of 1902 Mr. Buturlin, during a visit 

 to Kolguev, obtained a few examples of this goose, which nests there in company with 

 Melanonyx segetum. 



In concluding the subject of geographical distribution, I may remark that I am 

 absolutely unable to give even approximately exact details, owing to the fact of this species 

 having been confounded with the bean-goose. 



As regards its nidification, Mr. G. F. Gobel has given me the following information. 

 " M. arvensis" he writes, " builds its nest in Lapland, according to Liltenstjern, for the 

 most part in marshes among woods. This it constructs of various dry vegetable substances, 

 or selects a large tussock of grass. 1 A fine clutch consists of six eggs. 2 Information to this 



1 On the top of such a tussock the goose makes a simple depression, and lines it with dry plants and a small quantity of down. 



2 Probably sometimes more. 



