BLACK-FACED BERNICLE-GOOSE. 633 



It does not appear that any remain with us during the 

 breeding season, even in our most northern islands. In 

 summer, they are found in the arctic regions of both conti- 

 nents, and in winter are dispersed along the coasts of 

 America, as well as Europe. The nest, which is placed in 

 marshy ground, is formed of withered herbage. Of two eggs, 

 from Parry's second expedition, presented to Professor 

 Jameson by Mr. Fisher, one is two inches and a half in 

 length by an inch and five and a half eighths, the other two 

 inches and five eighths by an inch and six and a half eighths. 

 They are of a nearly elliptical form, the broadest part being 

 almost central, and one end a little larger than the other ; 

 the colour of one asparagus-green, or pale greyish-green, of 

 the other paler, and approaching to apple-green, 



Mr. Thomson, who states that it is abundant in Ireland, 

 occurring on both sides of the island, wherever there is plenty 

 of its favourite Zostera marina, gives a very lengthened account 

 of its habits as observed in Belfast Bay. They generally 

 arrive there by the first week of September, and sometimes 

 remain until May. Strictly marine, they fly to the deep 

 water in the afternoon, and remain there during the night 

 at sunrise return to their feeding grounds, generally proceed- 

 ing in small flocks, and alighting altogether about the same 

 place. They are very wary, and avoid in their flights 

 objects with which they are not familiar. Their mingling 

 cries, heard from a distance, resemble those of a pack of 

 hounds. They swim quickly, but are not expert at diving, 

 and remain but a short time under water. " The food con- 

 tained in Brent Geese from the loughs of Larne, Belfast, and 

 Strangford, examined by myself, was always Zostera, of which 

 were portions of the leaf from one to two feet in length, as 

 well as of the root : in addition to the plant, there was always 

 sand. An observant shooter and bird-preserver (Mr. Darragh), 

 who has looked to the food in a considerable number of these 

 geese, never found anything but Zostera. This was generally 

 in pieces about a foot in length, which, when so long, were 

 always folded neatly up, sometimes as much so as a ribbon, 

 but short pieces were not so arranged." 



