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486 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 
The Brant is found on our coast pretty abundantly at 
the same’ seasons as the Canada Goose, which it resem- 
bles very much in its general habits. 
Having had but few opportunities of observing this 
species in its wild state, I give the description, by Wilson, of 
its general habits: “* The Brant is expected at Egg Harbor, 
on the coast of New Jersey, about the first of October, 
and has been sometimes seen as early as the 20th of Sep- 
tember. The first flocks generally remain in the bay a few 
days, and then pass on to the South. On recommencing 
their journey, they collect in one large body, and, making 
an extensive spiral course, some miles in diameter, rise to a 
great height in the air, and then steer for the sea, over 
which they uniformly travel, often making wide circuits to 
avoid passing over a projecting point of land. In these 
aérial routes, they have been met with, many leagues from 
shore, travelling the whole night. Their line of march very 
much resembles that of the Canada Goose, with this excep- 
tion, that frequently three or four are crowded together in 
the front, as if striving for precedency. Flocks continue to 
arrive from the North; and many remain in the bay till 
December, or until the weather becomes very severe, when 
these also move off southwardly. During their stay, they 
feed on the bars at low water, seldom or never in the 
marshes; their principal food being a remarkably long and 
broad-leaved marine plant, of a bright-green color, which 
adheres to stones, and is called by the country people, sea- 
cabbage: the leaves of this are sometimes eight or ten 
inches broad, by two or three feet in length. They also eat 
small shell-fish. They never dive, but wade about, feeding 
at low water. During the time of high water, they float in 
the bay in long lines, particularly in calm weather. Their 
voice is hoarse and honking, and, when some hundreds are 
screaming together, reminds one of a pack of hounds in 
full cry. They often quarrel among themselves, and with 
the Ducks, driving the latter off their feeding-ground. 
