ANATID^:. 



397 



THE BERNACLE GOOSE. 

 Bernicla lf.uc(')PSIS (Bechstein). 



The Bernacle Goose is a winter-visitor to the British Islands, but 

 all competent observers agree that it is comparatively uncommon on 

 the east coasts of England and Scotland, and only occurs there 

 when the weather is very severe on the Continent ; while on the 

 shores of the English Channel, and inland, it is decidedly rare. 

 On the west side, from Cornwall northwards it is not unfrequent, 

 and it is of regular occurrence in Lancashire and Cumberland. In 

 the upper part of the Solway thousands are sometimes seen between 

 the end of September — when they arrive from the north-west — and 

 the latter part of March ; while throughout the Hebrides, and on the 

 neighbouring mainland, the bird is numerous in suitable localities. In 

 Ireland it is very local, but rather abundant in the north and north- 

 west, and at Dundalk and Lurgan on the east coast. It is, however, 

 difficult to trace its distribution, inasmuch as the Brent Goose is 

 often misnamed ' Bernacle.' 



To the Shetlands and the Ea^roes this species is only a rare 

 straggler; and although it occurs in Iceland and Greenland, it has 

 not yet been proved to breed there. No recent explorers have 

 met with it on the western side of Spitsbergen, though Mr. Leigh 

 Smith's party is said to have obtained seven examples (not 

 preserved) in the northern part of tliat island. Capt. A. H. Mark- 



