Bristol Road, Birmingham.
_Gabriel Hounds_ (Vol. v., p. 534.).--The term occurs in Mr. Halliwell's
_Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, &c._, vol. i. p. 388., with
the following, explanation:--
"At Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, the colliers going to their pits
early in the morning hear the noise of a pack of hounds in the air, to
which they give the name of _Gabriel's Hounds_, though the more sober
and judicious take them only to be wild geese making this noise in
their flight.--Kennett, MS. Lansd. 1033."
The species here alluded to is the Bean Goose _Anser segetum_, of authors.
A few of them breed in Scotland and its islands, but by far the larger
portion breed still farther north, in Scandinavia. Of the various birds
which resort to this country to pass the winter season the Bean Goose is
one of the first. I have seen very large flocks in Norfolk early in
September, where they feed on the stubbles. I have good authority for their
appearance in Gloucestershire, in the vicinity of the Severn, by the last
week in August. This is in accordance with the habits of this goose in some
parts of the Continent; Sonnerat and M. de Selis Longchamps calling it
_L'oie des moissons_, or Harvest Goose. They are frequently very noisy when
on the wing during the night, and the sound has been compared to that of a
pack of hounds in full cry.