232 
allp:n’s naturalist’s library. 
Nest. — Described by Middendorf as placed on a grassy hillock, 
in a hollow abundantly lined with down. Other observers state 
that the American form makes sometimes only a depression in 
the sand, or lines the nest with grasses and feathers as well as 
down. 
Eggs. — From five to seven in number, though as many as ten 
have been found. They are dull yellowish-white. Axis, 3-0- 
3'3 inches ; diam., 2 '0-2 ’2. 
in. THE BEAN-GOOSE. ANSER FABALIS. 
Anas fabalis, Lath. Gen. Syn. Suppl. i. p. 297 (1787). 
Anas segetum, Gm. S. N. i. p. 512 (1788). 
Atiser segeium, Macg. Hr. B. iv. p. 595 (1852) ; Dresser, B. Eur. 
vi-P'S^S. pl' 412 (1879); B.O.U. ListBr.B.p. 115 (1883); 
Saunders, cd. Yarr. Br. B. iv. p. 265 (1885); Seebohm, 
Br. B. iii. p. 493 (1885) ; Saunders, Man. p. 389 (1889) ; 
Lilford, Col. Fig. Br. B. part x.\vi. (1893). 
4nser fabalis, Salvad. Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 100 (1895). 
Adult Male. — General colour above brown, with whity-browm 
edges to the feathers ; the lower back and rump dull slaty- 
blackish ; the sides of the rump and upper tail-coverts white ; 
the tail-feathers blackish, edged and tipped with white ; the 
wing-coverts dark slaty-grey, the inner ones, as well as the 
median and greater coverts, brown, rather broadly edged with 
white, like the inner secondaries; the bastard-w'ingandprimary- 
coverts grey ; primaries black externally, grey for the most 
part ; secondaries black, with broad white edges ; head and 
neck brown, with a little trace of white at the base of the upper 
mandible and along the base of the forehead ; the neck-feathers 
soft ami lanceolate ; under surface of body greyish-white • 
throat brown, and with a brown shade overspreading the fore- 
neck ; the sides of the body mottled with ashy or dark brown 
feathers, which are broadly edged with whity-brown ; thighs 
ashy-brown ; under wing-coverts dark slaty-grey, the axillaries 
more blackish ; bill black, with an orange band in the middle ; 
nail black ; feet orange ; iris dark brown. Total length, 30-0 
inches; culmen, 2-5; wing, iS'o; tail, 5-4; tarsus, 3-1. 
Adult Female. — Similar to the male, but a little smaller. 
