165 



PINK-FOOTED GOOSE. 



Anser hrachjrhyncltus, . . . . Bailion. 



Anser pJwenicopm, ...... Baktlett. 



Oie a lee court, ...... Tjemjizsck. 



Anser — A Goose. Brachus — Short. Rugchos — A beak. 



This Goose was first, in this country, described as distinct from the two preceding- 

 species, by Mr. Bartlett, in 1839; it had, however, been noticed some years before, by 

 M. Baillon, on the continent, and was named by him as above. It is frequently met 

 with in the London and other markets, and we have a note, dated January 25th., 1848, 

 stating that we saw several specimens which had been procured about that period, in 

 the York market; and it has frequently been procured there since. 



It occurs commonly in Scotland, breeds "in great numbers in the small inlands of the 

 sound of Harris, as well as those of the interior of North Uist." It is also met with 

 in East Lothian, where, along with the Bean Goose, it causes much injury to the fields 

 of winter wheat, and young clover, by eating the tender blades. Mr. Archibald Hepburn, 

 of Whittingham, states that at Travent and Gladsniuir, common rat-traps are often set 

 in their haunts. 



It is not known to have occurred in Ireland. 



We are unacquainted with the habits of the Pink-footed Goose; little or nothing 

 having as yet been recorded respecting them. 



It is monogamous. 



"With respect to its food, Mr. C. St. John mentions, that, in Sutherlandshire, it feeds, 

 in the winter, on the bulbous roots of a coarse, red-coloured grass, which grows in peat 

 mosses. When feeding on it they become very fat and heavy, and have no strong or 

 unpleasant flavour. It also feeds on grain and young blades of wheat and grass. 



It is stated by Mr. Macgillivray, that pairing takes place about the middle of May, 

 in the outer Hebrides; the birds being seen in flocks at the commencement of the month. 



The eggs are pure white, and measure, in length, three inches and an eighth, by two 

 inches and a quarter in breadth. 



In the adult the bill measures one inch and five-eighths in length; narrow and small 



