132 Geese of Europe and Asia 



Although I have already expressed my opinion that this type is probably not an inde- 

 pendent species, but is based either on large individuals of Siberian bean-geese or perhaps 

 on crosses of the latter with M. arvensis sibiricus, it is still possible that I am mistaken and 

 that new observations and new material will lead to a different conclusion. Thus, for 

 example, there is a passage in the writings of the late Colonel Przewalski which apparently 

 refers to this goose. 



This is what the Asiatic explorer writes : "This species {Anser grandis, Pallas 1 ) was 

 noticed by us in small numbers in the spring of 187 1 on Dalai-nor, and in April of the next 

 year on the flooded fields in the valley of the Khuan-khe. Although we did not succeed 

 in getting a single specimen, yet from their larger size and particularly deep note, it was 

 possible to distinguish even at a distance these geese from Anser segetum, 



" On Lake Khanka A. grandis is very common during the spring migration, which 

 begins about the middle of March and continues to the middle of April. These geese 

 always keep in pairs or small flocks (3 to 7 individuals), generally not mixing with other 

 species, than which they are far more wary. 2 Few pairs remain, however, to breed in the 

 Khanka basin, the rest retiring at that season to the more remote lakes." 



Przewalski evidently knew both the Siberian bean-goose (which he called A. segetum) 

 and Middendorffs goose {M. arvensis sibiricus), and we gather from his words that the species 

 he described was not the latter. On the other hand, he was also well acquainted with the 

 " swan-goose/' so that the passage quoted above evidently refers to some large Melanonyx, 

 possibly M. mentalis. It is a pity that the famous traveller did not secure a specimen of 

 this big bird. 



This is all that I can glean with regard to M. mentalis. The figure was drawn by 

 Mr. Frohawk from the specimen in the British Museum, which served Mr. Oates as the 

 type of this at present doubtful species. 



1 Evidently not, as we now know that under this name Pallas could only mean domesticated swan-geese (Cygnopsis cygnoides). 



2 That the flocks are small and keep apart is in favour of the supposition that they consist of old males, as is a trait of many 

 animals, for the old males in old age keep aloof from their juniors. 



