﻿18 ANATID.E. 



This species never roosts among long herbage, or bushes, 

 or in the immediate neighbourhood of trees, but invariably 

 in entirely open ground, and very frequently on barren 

 islands in the mouths of rivers ; this fact induces us to 

 presume that the same sort of localities are resorted to for 

 the purpose of breeding. It is not from fear that this 

 bird avoids trees, as it has been shot more than once in 

 the autumn by sportsmen, who were in pursuit of other game, 

 while flying low enough over a forest to be within gun-shot. 



Great numbers of this species frequent the north-west 

 coast of Norway, in the autumn, which proves that they 

 must breed further north, from whence they arrive on their 

 way to their winter- quarters. 



The Orange-legged Bean Goose may very easily be dis- 

 tinguished from the former species, when seen on the ground, 

 by its slender form, smaller head, and lengthened neck ; 

 and, when flying, the tips of the wings are broader and 

 not so long. The common observer may, perhaps, not pay 

 sufficient attention to these particulars, but an ornithologist 

 and practised sportsman detects them very easily. 



When migrating, the present species flies in a double 

 line, with a single bird for a leader, and at a great elevation, 

 but at other times rather near the ground, particularly 

 in windy and foggy weather. 



By nature these birds are shy, avoid as much as possible 

 the approach of men, and are at all times very watchful : 

 they are, however, sociable among their own species, and 

 fond of their society, and appear always ready to unite 

 themselves to a flock of their own kindred whenever an 

 opportunity occurs. They are very seldom observed to join 

 a party of other geese of any description ; the only instance 

 of this kind we are aware of is recorded of a party of young, 

 of a late brood, which, however, kept together in the rear 



