86 WATER FOWL. 



It has occasionally been observed in the Mississippi 

 Valley, and there is, I believe, a record of a specimen hav- 

 ing been taken in Texas, but its occurrence east of the 

 Rocky Mountains is extremely rare. It is common, how- 

 ever, along the west coast from Alaska southward in win- 

 ter and generally keeps in the bays, or on the ocean a 

 little distance from shore. It does not associate with other 

 Geese to any extent, and does not go inland. The flesh of 

 this Goose is tender and good, very similar to that of the 

 eastern species, which it somewhat resembles in appear- 

 ance. It feeds on marine grasses, and at times on small 

 fish and Crustacea. Beside the name of Black Brant by 

 which it is commonly known, this bird is called on the 

 Yukon, as stated by Kennicott, the Eskimo Goose. 



BRANTA NIGR1CANS. 



Geographical Distribution. Western North America, from 

 the Arctic Ocean, at the mouth of the Anderson River, along the 

 Alaskan coast. South in winter to Lower California. 



Adult. Head, neck, and upper part of breast, deep black; a 

 broad white collar interrupted behind, on the middle of neck. 

 Upper parts and wings, dark brown, nearly black on seconda- 

 ries, primaries, and rump. Breast and abdomen, blackish 

 plumbeous, almost as dark as the upper part of breast. Crissum, 

 sides of rump, upper and under tail coverts, pure white. Tail, 

 black. Bill and feet, black. Total length, about 25 inches; 

 wing, 12^; culmen, I T %; tarsus, 2^ 5 . 



