GEESE. 139 



BBEXT GOOSE. Bernicla Irenta, (Gmelin). 



Yarrell, iv. p. 290 ; Dresser, vi. p. 389 ; Ibis List, p. 117; Anser 

 bernicla, Harting, p. 61 ; Anser brenta, Seebohm, iii. p. 

 508 ; Anas bernicla, Pulteney's List, p. 20. 



The Brent or "Black Goose," as it is called by 

 the coast gunners, is the most abundant of all the 

 wild geese, and the smallest. Mr. T. M. Pike states 

 that it usually comes in from the sea when the 

 mud-flats of Poole harbour appear at the falling 

 tide, but after its first appearance in November the 

 flocks become too wary to trust themselves inside, 

 excepting between southerly and easterly winds, when 

 the puntsmen cannot get at them. They then feed 

 almost entirely outside the harbour in Studland Bay 

 and at the back of the Hook Shoal upon the floating 

 weed that comes out on the ebb-tide. 



Early in February 1879 a great number of Brent 

 Geese arrived during the prevalence of a strong east 

 wind, and were veiy tame ; sixty or seventy were 

 shot by three gunners at the mouth of Poole harbour. 



EGYPTIAN" GOOSE. Chenalopex cegyptiaca, (L.) 



Yarrell, iv. p. 300; Ibis List, p. 114; Anser segyptiaca, 

 Harting, p. 61. 



It is doubtful whether this species has any claim 

 to be admitted in the list of British birds, being so 

 frequently kept with other ornamental water-fowl in 

 a semi-domesticated state, and often escaping only 

 to be shot. A small flock was formerly kept in 



