LITTLE WHITE-FKONTED GOOSE. 141 



to M. Dubois, (Ois. de la Belgique, No. 139,) who 

 records an instance of its capture near Brussels in 

 1858. It also occurs in Greece. Count Miilrle says, 

 "I have often found this pretty little Goose in 

 Greece. In size it scarcely exceeds the Common 

 Duck. I believe that it breeds in Greece, since I 

 have for many years shot the old female in the month 

 of June, when all foreign Ducks and Geese have long 

 disappeared. They remain constantly in the swamps, 

 which are thickly overgrown Avith reeds and rushes, 

 and were with trouble hunted out (probably from the 

 nest) by dogs." 



Lindermayer says that neither he nor Erhardt were 

 fortunate enough to procure specimens in Greece, but 

 admits it is often seen in the markets at Athens, which 

 places its occurrence in Greece beyond all doubt. 



Though its general appearance is very similar to 

 that of the White-fronted or Laughing Goose, the 

 subject of the present notice is easily distinguished by 

 its smaller size and more delicate form: the w^ino-s 

 are also proportionally larger and more pointed. Their 

 manners and habits of flight are very similar to those 

 of Geese in general. In their long migrations they 

 form an oblique line, one after the other; and ]M. 

 Dubois states that they will sometimes follow flocks 

 of Harvest Geese, at the same time keeping at a 

 distance from them. If these last fly down on a field 

 or piece of w^ater, they also stop, but they do not 

 then approach nearer their companions of the voyage 

 than while travelling. They are very fond of swimmino- 

 about, which they do with great agility. They feed 

 upon roots, grain, and water lentils. They are not 

 very wild, but at the same time cautious, and keep 

 at a long range from the sportsman's gun. 



