Bean-Goose 115 



Geographical Distribution 



Owing to the almost universal confounding of the bean with the yellow-billed goose, 

 it is still impossible to determine exactly either all the nesting areas or all the routes of 

 migration, and the winter haunts of the former bird. 



In spite of the assertions of certain ornithologists and sportsmen that this goose 

 migrates in some districts in spring or autumn in large flocks, such statements must be 

 treated with great caution, and even sometimes with incredulity, and it is wise to consider 

 the exact range of the species as practically unknown. 



The fact is that, in the arrangement of the black and yellow-orange colouring on the 

 bill, young yellow-billed geese (especially before attaining two years) are very like adult 

 bean-geese, and may even be easily mistaken, on a superficial inspection, for old birds of this 

 species, since, notwithstanding their youth, they do not yield in size to the latter. 



Thus if we confine ourselves, as do the majority of observers, to the pattern on the 

 bill, the confusion between these two species is easily understood ; and beyond doubt such 

 confusion has often occurred. I again repeat, therefore, that it is impossible from the 

 information at present existing to get an exact notion of the habitat of these two species, 

 so like to each other at first sight, but in reality perfectly distinct. 



One fact is, however, proved, namely, that the geographical distribution of M. segetum 

 is far from always coinciding with that of M. arvensis : on the contrary, it is slightly more 

 restricted ; while, on the whole, the bean-goose is incomparably less numerous than the 

 yellow-billed species. 



In Lapland, for example, on the Kola peninsula, and also in Finland, as noted by Dr. 

 Palmen (and afterwards by Mr. F. D. Pleske), the majority of statements as to the bean-goose 

 being found there must be received with more than mistrust. It is, indeed, probable that 

 only the most insignificant percentage of these records really refer to this species, and the 

 great majority to the yellow-bill. Only recently, that is since Mr. Buturlin's expedition to 

 Kolguev in 1902, have we ascertained (from the material brought back by that energetic and 

 talented explorer) that this species breeds on that island, in company with M. arvensis. 

 True, we knew that Mr. Trevor- Batty e had found it on Kolguev, but we could not be sure 

 whether the bean or the yellow-billed species was the one mentioned by that author under 

 the name of bean-goose, since he brought home no material proofs, 1 and in England, till 

 recently, these two species were universally included under the name of bean-goose. On 

 the other hand, from Mr. Trevor-Battye's description of some specimens of these Kolguev 

 bean-geese, we are entitled to assume that, besides the yellow-billed and the bean-goose, 

 Sushkin's goose also breeds on the island in question, as in Novaia Zemlia, where all three 

 nest together. Novaia Zemlia appears, indeed, to be a well-authenticated breeding-ground 

 for the bean-goose, as specimens were obtained there by Mr. N. A. Smirnov in 1901. 2 



In other words, for the north of Russia and Europe generally, we can only say that 

 Kolguev and Novaia Zemlia are authenticated breeding-grounds of this species ; this, 

 perhaps, being the reason why we so seldom meet with specimens of the bean-goose in 

 collections, while the yellow-billed goose is always comparatively well represented. 



Of Lapland, apparently, this species is not a native, even in the breeding season, and 



1 As testified by a letter from the author in my possession. 



2 The heads in spirit, and the skin of a young bird in first plumage, brought by Mr. Smirnov, are in the Zoological Museum at St. 

 Petersburg. These specimens were quoted in vol. vii. of the Yezkegodnik Zool. v miiseya Akad. Nauk (1902, p. 271) by V. L. Bianchi as 

 Anser fabalis (Lath.). 



