CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 87 



the crowds and noise, and, becoming confused, flew out 

 to sea, where they fell into the water. Several boats 

 which happened to be under the cliffs profited by their 

 misfortunes, one alone getting between twenty and 

 thirty birds. Next year over a score of boats were on 

 the spot awaiting the coming of the unfortunate Par- 

 tridges, but the wind luckily blowing from the south, 

 carried the affrighted birds inland, and not one came 

 out to sea. 



I was going early one morning to the station at St. 

 Leonard's, when I observed a covy of ten or a dozen 

 Partridges drop in a small open square in the back 

 part of the town. On being chased by some boys 

 and dogs, they never attempted to use their wings, but 

 sought shelter in the open doors or fluttered helplessly 

 down the areas. 



The specimens in the case were shot at Potter 

 Heigham, near Yarmouth, in Norfolk, in December, 

 1873. 



BRENT GOOSE. 



Case 87. 



Immense flocks of Brent Geese make their appearance 

 about the end of September or beginning of October on 

 the mudbanks in the firths on the north-east coast of 

 Scotland. In the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths they 

 perhaps collect in the greatest numbers. 



On their first arrival they are remarkably un- 

 suspicious of danger, but, from being constantly 

 harassed by the punt gunners, they soon gain wisdom 

 and learn to provide for their own safety. Some, 

 seasons back, over 1,800 were bagged in six weeks by 



