NON-INDIGENOUS BRITISH BIRDS. 155 



Feildcn near Knot Harbour in Grinnell Land, as applic- 

 able to both forms of Brent Goose occurring in the 

 British Islands. His information, of course, refers to 

 the White-bellied form of Brent Goose, and strictly 

 speaking should be confined to that form. In the utter 

 absence of information, however, concerning the typical 

 form, it is perhaps advisable to continue to allow these 

 details to refer to both forms of Brent, and to trust to 

 future observations to fill in the blanks. This Goose 

 apparently pairs for life, and is gregarious enough 

 during its migrations, but whether it continues so 

 through the nesting season is unknown. It certainly 

 appears to be a social species, many birds breeding 

 within a comparatively small area. The nest is made 

 in a hollow in the ground, and composed of dry grass, 

 moss, and other vegetable fragments, and warmly lined 

 with down. The male keeps careful watch near the 

 nest, ready to give the alarm or to defend it from 

 enemies. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Brent Goose are four or five in number. 

 They are somewhat smooth in texture, slightly polished, 

 and creamy-white. Average measurement, 275 inches 

 in length by 1*85 inch in breadth. Incubation is 

 apparently performed entirely by the female, but the 

 duration of the period is unknown. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of this Goose 

 cannot be distinguished from those of the Bernacle 

 Goose. They also closely resemble those of the White- 

 fronted Goose, but — size for size — are perceptibly lighter 

 in shell weight. 



