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BEAN GOOSE. 



WILD GOOSE. 



Anser segetum, ..... Jentns. 



Anser ferns, ...... Fleming. 



Anas segetum, ..... Pekn"ant. 



Oie vulgaire, ...... Tehiiixce. 



Anser — A Goose. Segetum — Of corn-fields. 



This handsome Goose is one of the most common of its tribe in its occurrence in this 

 country, and -we have no doubt that it has very commonly been considered the Gray-Lag 

 Goose, by sportsmen and others who were not well acquainted with the distinctive characters 

 of the two species. To most of this country it is only a winter visitant, and disappears 

 with the first approach of spring. In Sutherlandshire it may, however, be found 

 during the breeding-season; and numerous pairs have been seen with their broods on 

 Loch Shin, Loch Laighal, and Loch Waver. It also breeds in the Hebrides, in Lewis, 

 and Harris. Mr. Tarrell states, that "a few pairs, it is said, breed annually in 

 Sunbiggin Tarn, near Orton, in Westmorland." 



In Ireland it is common in winter. 



On the continent, this Goose is found in Northern Europe, and in France, Holland, 

 and Germany, plentifully; it also occurs in Italy and Spain. 



The habits of the Bean Goose lead it to frequent corn-fields, more than its congeners; 

 and so well is this known in France, that it has obtained the provincial name of 

 "Harvest Goose;" and Mr. Tarrell states that he has been informed, that as early as 

 August they are to be found in the corn-fields in Gloucestershire. They, however, more 

 commonly remain on the coast, and make daily excursions inland to their feeding-grounds, 

 returning at night to roost upon the water, or upon some distant sand-bank. In the 

 depth of winter they often take up their quarters on "extensive flat tracts, such as 

 holm or meadow pasture, wet marshy ground, often at a considerable elevation, and on 

 the borders of pastoral lands." When feeding in the stubbles, among small inclosures, 

 they are, of course, more easily approached by the sportsman, than at other times; for 



