File:The birds of Europe (1837) (14727627846).jpg

Identifier: birdsEuropeVGoul (find matches)
Title: The birds of Europe
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Gould, John, 1804-1881
Subjects: Pictorial works Birds
Publisher: London, Printed by R. and J.E. Taylor, pub. by the author
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
rn portions of Africa, eastwardly to Persia, and, we believe, is generallydispersed over Asia Minor. The Grey Lag assembles in flocks, and like the Bean Goose seeks the most open and wild districts, oftendescending upon fields of newly sprung wheat, which, with the blades of fine grasses, trefoil, and grain,constitute its food. The nest is said to be placed among rushes, and is formed of a large quantity of various vegetablematters: the eggs, from six to twelve in number, of a sullied white. The sexes are nearly alike in plumage. Head and neck brown, tinged with grey; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts brown, tinged with ash grey,all the feathers being broadly margined with greyish white; lesser wing-coverts bluish grey; upper tail-coverts white; breast and belly greyish white, crossed with bars of a deeper tint; vent and under tail-covertswhite; bill reddish orange, the nail greyish white; legs and feet dull red. The Plate represents an adult male about two thirds of the natural size.
Text Appearing After Image:
BEAN GOOSE. Anser segetum, Steph.LOie vulgaire ou sauvage. In the temperate portions of Europe, and particularly on the British Islands, the Bean Goose is rather awinter visitor than a permanent resident: after passing the summer within the arctic circle, it migrates earlyin the autumn to more southern latitudes; hence in October and November considerable flocks arrive in thenorthern counties of England, and afterwards disperse themselves over the greater portion of our island.Like the other members of its family it is extremely shy and difficult of approach, cautiously avoiding dangerby resorting to wild and open parts of the country. These birds feed principally by day, when they resort tostubble lands, and not unfrequently to grounds lately sown with peas, beans, and pulse, and they have been knownto commit considerable havoc on young wheat. Extensive marshes and fenny districts also form a place offavourite resort, the large sheets of water which there abound affording them a safe

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