THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
rump grey; upper and under tail-coverts white; chest and rest of the 
underparts pale brownish -grey shading into white towards the base of 
the abdomen and vent ; over the breast and abdomen are scattered 
numerous dark ash-brown feathers, forming irregular bars or patches, 
a character which increases with age; thighs pale grey; outer wing- 
coverts pale grey, the greater ones paler than the lesser and median; middle 
wing-coverts ash-brown with pale edges, like the back; outer secondary 
and inner primary quills brownish-black, outer primary quills ash-grey 
except at the tip, which is brownish -black ; all the shafts of the quills 
white; under wing -coverts and axillaries very pale grey; middle pairs of 
tail-feathers ash -brown tipped with white, ranging to uniform white on 
the outermost pair. Iris brown; bill orange or pale flesh -colour; nail 
yellowish -white; legs, toes and membranes flesh -colour. 
Total length about 38 inches; bill 2 4 inches; wing 17*5 inches; 
tail 5 *3 inches; tarsus 3 *4 inches. 
Adult female . — Similar to the male, but generally smaller and lighter 
in weight. Wing about 16 inches. 
General distribution . — The breeding-range of the grey lag-goose extends 
from Iceland in the west to the Ussuri district and Kamchatka in the 
east. In North Europe and in Western Siberia it is found, even beyond the 
Arctic Circle, along the Obi Valley; but to the east of about 80° E. long, 
its northern range declines, and does not seem to extend beyond 56° N. lat. 
Its southern breeding limit is difficult to define, but seems to include 
the northern shores of the Mediterranean from South Spain east- 
wards, Transcaucasia, Persia, Turkestan, Eastern Turkestan and 
probably China, though at the present time it is only recorded from there 
as a winter-visitor. On migration enormous numbers visit Southern 
Spain, and many cross to North Africa and are found in Tangier, Algeria 
and North Tunis. It is likewise plentiful in the cold season in North 
and Central India and China as far south as Canton. 
Distribution in the British Isles . — In the north of Scotland the grey lag- 
goose is resident and breeds in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross -shire, and 
on the Outer and some of the Inner Hebrides. In winter its numbers are 
greatly increased, and it is then more generally distributed, but is 
comparatively rare on the east side. To the Shetland and Orkney Islands 
it is an accidental visitor. To England and Wales it is a winter -visitor 
only, and comparatively rare and irregular, especially in the south and 
west. In most parts of Ireland it is scarce, but some numbers visit the 
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