BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 303 



WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE 



Anser albifrons {Scopoli) 



This Goose, whose chief breeding grounds are in Siberia, 

 though it also nests across the whole of Northern Europe, 

 migrates to this country in fair numbers every autumn and 

 winter, but it is more abundant in the south and south-west 

 than on the east coast, and is everywhere very local in its 

 distribution. 



It very closely resembles the Grey Lag Goose, but there is 

 more white on the forehead ; the bill is orange-yellow, with 

 white nail, and the legs orange. Length about 27 in. ; 

 wing 16 in. 



The young show no white at the base of the bill. 



BRENT GOOSE 



Bernicla brenta {Brisson) 



This species is one of our most common Geese, and is 

 found in enormous flocks round our coasts during the whole 

 winter. It inhabits the west coast of Greenland and also the 

 islands and northern coasts of Russia and Siberia. It feeds 

 principally by day, and has a habit of wading about the mud- 

 flats or in shallow water feeding on maritime vegetation. Its 

 favourite food when with us is Zostera marina, a long grass 

 which grows on certain parts of our mud-flats. 



The whole plumage is chiefly black, except the tail-coverts, 

 which are white, and a white patch on each side of the neck. 

 The young are duller in colour, and show very little white on 

 the neck spot. There are two races of Brent Geese, the dark» 

 coloured and the white-bellied. Length from 22 to 23 in. ; 

 wing 13 in. 



