IXITED STATES OF AMERICA. 355 



on the bars of the* sound, or bays, at low water, never in the marshes ; 

 their principal foot! being a remarkably long and broad-leaved marine 

 plant, of a bright green colour, which adheres to stones, and is called 

 by the country people Sea-Cabbage ; they also eat small shell-fish. 

 During the time of high water they fleat in the bay, in long lines, 

 particularly in calm weather. Their voice is hoarse and honking, 

 and when some hundreds are screaming together, it reminds one of 

 a pack of hounds in full cry. When they change their feeding grounds, 

 or are aroused on wing, they will always endeavor to avoid crossing 

 the land. Hence, according as the wind blows the gunners conceal 

 themselves on certain points or tongues of land which project into 

 the bay ; and if a gale should impel the birds to leeward, they will 

 earnestly labour to gain the windward point, flying a few feet above 

 the surface of the water ; but when they reach the extremity of the 

 land, in endeavouring to double it they are frequently driven over 

 the spots where the gunners lie on their backs, who instantly spring 

 up with loud shouts : the Brant become alarmed, cluster confusedly 

 together, and, instead of pushing straight forward, turn to avoid the 

 danger : this is the critical moment for the gunners, who pouring 

 into the panic-struck flock their well-directed fire, bring many of 

 them to the ground. About the twentieth of May the Brant pass 

 the coast of New Jersey on their route to the north, but seldom stop, 

 unless driven in by tempestuous weather. Should a south east gale 

 occur at that time, they soon become fatigued, and fly slowly over the 

 surf of the sea beach, frequently affording the gunners rare sport. 

 At this season they are very fat, and of a fine flavour. In the month 

 of November they are likewise excellent ; though after their favourite 

 sea-cabbage becomes scarce their flesh tastes somewhat sedgy. When 

 the winter sets in with severity the Brant principally move off to the 

 south. 



Snow Goose. This species, called on the coast the Red Goose, and 

 by others the Pied Goose and White Brant, arrives in the river De- 

 laware from the north early in November, sometimes in considerable 

 flocks, and is extremely noisy, their notes being shriller and more 

 squeaking than those of the Canada or common Wild Goose. On 

 their first arrival they make but a short stay, proceeding, as winter 

 approaches, farther to the south ; but from the middle of February 

 until the breaking up of the ice in March, they are frequently nu- 

 merous along both shores of the Delaware, about and below Reedy 

 Island, particularly near Old Duck Creek, in the state of Delaware. 

 They feed on the roots of the reeds, tearing them up from the marshes 

 like hogs. Their flesh, like that of most others of their tribe that 

 feed on vegetables, is excellent. 



Gray Goose. This is said to be the original stock of the common 

 domesticated Goose, and is called by the naturalists of Britain the 

 Gray-lag Goose. It is found in various parts of the old and new con- 

 tinents ; but seldom appears within the limits of the United States . 

 At Hudson's Bay this species arrives early in May, as soon as the ice 

 disappears ; they collect in flocks of twenty or thirty, stay about three 

 weeks, then separate in pairs, and take off to breed. In July they 

 moult, at which time the Indians destroy many of them. About the 

 middle of August they return to the marshes, with their young, and 

 continue there till September.* The Gray Goose was observed by 

 Lewis and Clarke on the waters of the Columbia. 



*Pennant, Arct Zool. vol. 2, p. 268. 



