BRENT GOOSE, 79 



vorous birds, however, collect in much greater numbers upon 

 the island of Kolgajew, which is described as covered with 

 swans and geese, than in Nova Zembla, where the vegetation 

 is too scanty. On this account expeditions are sometimes 

 sent hither to kill and salt these birds. A merchant of 

 Archangel told me that once fifteen thousand geese were 

 killed here in two hunts." 



In the adult male the bill is black, and only one inch and 

 a half in length ; the irides very dark brown, almost black ; 

 the forehead low, the head small and black ; the neck all 

 round black, except a small patch on each side, which is 

 white, but mixed with a few regularly placed black feathers ; 

 back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and tertials, dark brownish- 

 black, the edges a little lighter in colour; primary and se- 

 condary quill-feathers black ; the rump black ; upper tail- 

 coverts white ; tail-feathers black ; upper part of the breast 

 black ; lower portion of the breast and the belly slate-grey, 

 with lighter coloured margins ; vent and under tail-coverts 

 white ; legs, toes, membranes, and claws black. 



The whole length twenty-one inches. From the carpal 

 joint to the end of the wing thirteen inches ; the first cj[uill- 

 feather the longest in the wing. 



Females are a little smaller than males, and have their 

 plumage tinged with brown. 



Young birds of the year have little or no white patch on 

 the sides of the neck ; head and neck dusky lead-grey ; the 

 feathers of the body edged with brown ; belly and flanks light 

 grev. 



