574 THE FFATHT.RF.n TRIBES. 



reason of the continuance of this error in several Eoman Oatholic countries, is the per- 

 mission g-rante:! bj' the priest to eat this goose on fish-daj's, because it -svas considered to 

 partake more of the character of a fish than of a fowl. 



It may seem strange to the reader, yet the following notice, sent by Sir Eobei't Moray 

 to the Royal Society, actually appears in their printed Transactions. He says : " The 

 pedicle seems to draw and convey the matter which serves for the growth and vegetation 

 of the shell, and the little bird within it. In every shell that I opened I found a perfect 

 stea-fowl, the little bill like that of a yoofic, the eyes marked ; the head, breast, wings, tail, 

 and feet formed ; the feathers everywhere perfectly shaped, and blackish coloured ; and 

 i\iefert like those of other water-fowl to my best remembrance. Nor did I ever see any 

 of the little birds alive, nor met with anybody that did ; only some credible persons have , 

 assured me that they have seen some as big as their fist." 



So much for grave statement ; another, of a different kind, is thus given by Lady 

 Fanshawe, who was in France in 1649 : — " When we came to Calais, we met with the 

 Earl of Strafford and Sir Kenelm Digby, with some others of our countr>Tnen. We were 

 all feasted at the governor's of the castle, and much excellent discoui'se passed ; but, as 

 was reason, most showed, was Sir Kenelm Digby's, who had enlarged somewhat more in 

 extraordinary stories, than might be averred, and all of them passed with great applause 

 and wonder of the French then at table ; but the concluding one was, that barnacles, a 

 bird in Jersey, was first a shell-fish to appearance, and from that, sticking upon old wood, 

 became in time a bird. After some consideration, they unanimously burst out into 

 laughter, believing it altogether false ; and, to say the truth, it was the only thing true 

 he had discussed with them. That was his infirmity, though otherwise a person of most 

 excellent parts, and a ^■ery fine-bred gentleman," 



THE BRENT flOOSE.* 



This species is the smallest and most numerous of the geese that visit the British 

 Lslands. It makes its appearance in winter, and appears over the whole range of those 

 coasts and estuaries that are much frequented by the other migrant geese. The head, 

 neck, and upper part of the breast, the quills, tlie rump, and tail, are black. The rest of 

 the plumage is reddish ash-colour, more or less mottled ; the under and upper tail 

 coverts, the vent-feathers, and the belly, are white. The bill is short and black ; the 

 feet of the young birds have a tint of dull reddish colour, but in the mature state they 

 are black. The flesh of this bird is very agreeable. 



Mr. Selby states, that a very large body of these birds annually resort to the extensive 

 muddy and sandy flats that lie between the mainland and Holy Island, on the 

 Northumbrian coast, and which are covered by every flow of the tide. This part of the 

 coast appears to hare been a favourite resort of these birds from time immemorial, where 

 they have always received the name of Ware Grear, given to them, doubtless, in conse- 

 quence of their continually feeding on marine vegetables. 



According to Wilson, this bird's line of march in America very. much resembles that 

 of the Canada Goose, excepting that frnquently three or four are crowded together in the 

 front, as if striving for precedency. Flocks continue to arrive from the north, and 

 remain until the weather becomes very severe, when they move off southwardly. During 

 tluir stay, they feed on the bars at low water, seldom or never in the marshes. Their 

 principal food is a remarkably long and broad-loavod marine plant, of a bright green 

 colour, which adheres to stones, and is called by the country people sea cabbage. Tliey 

 cat also sholl-fish. 



* Anspr Brcntn. 



