290 



ANSBRES. 



ANATID.E. 



A NA TID^E. 





Bernicla brenta (Pallas*). 

 THE BRENT GOOSE. 



Anser torquatus. 



Of the various species of Geese that visit the British 

 Islands, this is the smallest as well as the most numerous, 

 and possesses also for us the agreeable advantage of being 

 a good bird for the table. It is a regular winter visitor to 

 the shores of most of our maritime counties, and remains 

 with us through all the cold months of the year, particu- 

 larly on the east and south coast. It is seldom seen on 

 fresh water in the interior, unless wounded ; but is truly a 

 marine species, passing a great portion of the day and night 

 out at sea, at other times frequenting extensive muddy flats 

 and sand bars on the sea-shore, which are exposed at every 

 ebb tide. The birds make their appearance at these their 

 feeding-places as soon as, or even a short time before, the 



* AmcrlrcnUi, Pallas, Zoogr. Rosso-As. ii. p. 229 (1811). 



