Class II. GREY LAG GOOSE.! 571 



domeftic goofe. The old geefe which are mot, are 

 plucked and fold in the market as fine tame ones ; 

 and readily bought, the purchafer being deceived 

 by the fize, but their flefh is coarfe. Towards 

 winter they collect in great flocks, but in all fea- 

 fbns live and feed in the fens. 



The Grey Lag is the origin of the domeftic goofe ; 

 it is the only fpecies that the Britons could take 

 vouns;, and familiarize : the other two never breed 

 here, and migrate during fummer. The mallard 

 comes within the fame defcription, and is the fpe- 

 cies to which we owe our tame breed of ducks : 

 both preferve fome of the marks of their wild flate ; 

 the soofe the whitenefs of the coverts of the tail 

 and vent- feathers ; the drake its curled feathers. 

 The goofe in other colors fports lefs in the tame 

 kind than the other. 



Tame geefe are of vaft longevity. Mr. Willugh- Tame Goose 

 by gives an example of one that attained eighty 

 years. 



Tame geefe are keep in vaft multitudes in the 

 fens of Lincoln/hire \ a fingle perfon will keep a 

 thoufand old geefe, each of which will rear feven j 

 fo that towards the end of the feafon he will be- 

 come mafter of eight thoufand. I beg leave to re- 

 peat here part of the hi (lory of their ceconomy 

 from my tour in Scotland, in order to complete my 

 account. 



During the breeding feafon thefe- birds are lodg- 

 ed in the fame houfes with the inhabitants, and 



even 



