The grey lag goose pairs for life, and is gregarious, but is said not
to associate with geese of other species. It feeds on grass and young
shoots, and in the autumn on grain, and spends nearly the whole day
in feeding, and resorts at dark to some open level space to roost,
where it is almost impossible to approach within gunshot of the flock,
owing to its watchfulness. The grey lag makes a large nest of reeds
and grass, lined with moss, and lays six eggs, sometimes a larger
number. During incubation the gander keeps guard over his mate, and
afterwards assists her in rearing the young. These are led back to the
nest every evening by the goose, and sleep under her wing. The male
begins to moult a month earlier than the female, and when the time
comes he leaves her in sole charge of the young, and withdraws to some
hiding-place, or spends the daylight hours on the water, coming to the
land in the evening to feed. The goose begins her moult after the young
are able to take care of themselves.
The grey lag goose does not range so far north as the allied species;
it is only in Norway, where the summer is longest, owing to the
influence of the Gulf Stream, that it is found nesting north of the
arctic circle.
Bean-Goose.
Anser segetum.
The bean-goose differs from the preceding species in its more slender
shape and longer bill, which is orange-colour in the middle, black at
the base and on the nail; and in its darker colour and the absence of
black marks on the breast, and the bluish grey colour on the shoulder
of the wing; legs and feet orange-yellow. Length, thirty-four inches.
* * * * *
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