46 BIRDS OF ICELAND 



Bernicla leucopsis (Bechst). 

 Barnacle Goose. 



Native name : ' Helsingi,' according to Grondal. 

 This species breeds in Greenland and Spitzbergen, 

 and passes on migration, but only irregularly, through 

 Iceland. Eggert 'Olafsson (Eeise, 1772) gives a figure 

 of an Iceland specimen, which appears to be the first 

 record; and Faber states that it is most plentiful in 

 the south-west, though not rare in the north, and gives 

 the date of its appearance (end of May, reappearing in 

 the beginning of September). Of late years it does 

 not seem to have been so much noticed, and Grondal 

 has apparently seldom seen it. Four examples were 

 brou^dit to him in ISTovember 1885, and several were 

 seen, only, on the 23rd June 1887 (a singular date), 

 near Eeykjavik. We may put it down as an irreguLar 

 migrant along the coasts in spring and autumn. 



Bernicla brenta (Pall.). Brent Goose. 



Native name : ' Hrota,' ' Hrotgaes ' (? ' Hrota,' and ' Hrot- 

 gaes ' = the goose seen, or shot, in stormy weather) 

 also * Margaes ' (Sea goose). 

 This bird also appears to pass on migration in spring 

 and autumn along the coasts of Iceland on its way to 

 and from its more northerly breeding-grounds (Green- 

 land, Spitzbergen, etc.). Faber was informed that it 

 nested in the EyjafjorSr in June 1819, but he was 



