544 
BERNACLE GOOSE. 
hereof, if any doubt, may it please them to repaire 
to me, and I shall satisfie them by the testimony 
of good witnesses.” 
This ridiculous notion originated in the form of 
the animal inhabitant of a multivalve shell, the 
lepas anatifera Linn., whose feathered beard was 
in that credulous age magnified into the part of a 
young bird. 
The bernacle geese are seen in vast flocks during 
winter, on the north-west coasts of this kingdom. 
They are very shy and wild, but when taken may 
be tamed in a few days. They live to a great age. 
Mr. Pennant says that Dr. Buckworth of Spald- 
ing had one which was kept in the family above 
thirty -two years; but was blind during the two last: 
what its age was when first taken was unknown. 
