148 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



The eggs were always seven and never mor^ than eight in number. What 

 is most remarkable about these birds is that they go south every fall and 

 return every spring; their number always being diminished by the time 

 they return, some probably being killed by the ever-watchful sportsman. 

 Mr. Vergon says the geese often stray away from "home" as far as ten 

 and fifteen miles on the Olentangy River and other waters in the neigh- 

 borhood. He feeds them on a high ridge near the lake and on this ridge 

 they are always first seen in spring when they return. Mr. Vergon says 

 he thinks they always come at night and is very sure they always depart 

 in autumn at night. While the flocks that leave in the fall and return in 

 the spring have often been diminished in numbers, yet as many as twenty- 

 two new ones have come with them and stayed at the lake. Out of thirty 

 that departed last fall only three have returned this spring (February, 

 1886). The birds are very much afraid of strangers, but with Mr. Ver- 

 gon they are very familiar, allowing him to handle and caress them at 

 pleasure. The eggs are ellipsoidal in shape, smooth, pale, dull greenish 

 color, and measure about 3.50 by 2.50. 



595. Brant — rernicla brenta. Dirty-white ; elliptical ; six to ten in 

 number; size from 2.75 to 2.90 long by 1.84 to 1.90 broad. The Brant 

 Goose breeds in high latitudes, to the Arctic coast. In North America it 

 is found chiefly along the Atlantic coast, and is more maritime than other 

 United States geese. It is, however, also found inland occasionally on 

 the lakes and rivers. During the migrations it is abundant in the United 

 States and seem tc prefer the coast to the interior, seldom passing over 

 any large tract of land, following the windings of the shore and nearly 

 always keeping over water. It may readily be known by its small size, 

 dark colors and crescent-shaped streakings on the neck. The bill, feet 

 and claws are black; the iris brown. The Brant Geese are particular 

 favorites with sportsmen and many are shot from points of land which 

 project out into the sea. Here blinds are built in which the sportsmen 

 conceal themselves, and near which they induce the wary Brant to alight by 

 using decoys of the same species. The nest is made on the ground in 

 marshy places, of grass and weeds. 



Hab. Northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere; in North America chiefly on the Atlantic coast; rare 

 in the interior or away from salt water. 



598. Emperor Goose — philacte canagica. The Painted or Emperor 

 Goose is a notable species of variegated plumage inhabiting the coast and 

 islands of Alaska. It winters chiefly in Southern Alaska and the Aleutian 

 Islands. Breeds north to Behring Strait and also on the Siberian side. 

 The color of the plumage is a bluish-gray, with lavender shading and 



