ANATID^. 243 



Breist Goose, Anser torqiiatus. During the 

 severe winter to which I have just alluded, brent 

 geese were unusually abundant at Pagham Har- 

 bour. I shot several myself. This is the best 

 bird I ever tasted: the flesh is as tender and 

 juicy as that of a teal, and there is a total ab- 

 sence of the fishy flavour which renders so many 

 of our water-fowl unfit for the table. 



Egyptian Goose, A7iser EgyjAiacus. Although 

 unknown in Sussex until within the last few years, 

 several examples of the Egy^^tian goose have oc- 

 curred in difierent parts of the county. These 

 were probably the descendants of birds which had 

 been introduced into England from abroad; and 

 which have been known in many instances to 

 have escaped from ponds and ornamental pieces 

 of water. One in my own collection was shot at 

 Shoreham Harbour, in December, 1847. I have 

 seen a specimen at Holtycombe, which was killed 

 in that neighbourhood. It has also been obtained 

 at Bexhill, and in various parts of the interior. 



Hooper, Gygnus ferus. Wild Swan or Whist- 

 ling Swan. An unusually severe winter always 

 brings this bird to our coast. In January, 1 839, 

 I saw several flocks at Pagham, and procured 

 many specimens. 



Mute Swan, Cygnus olor. Seen in a half 

 domesticated state on ponds and rivers. Some- 



