PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 159 



breeding grounds include Franz-Josef Land, Spitsbergen, Kolguev, and Novaya 

 Zemlya, but not on the mainland of the European continent. In Asia, however, 

 it breeds on the Taimyr Peninsula and on the river Yenisei (lat. 72 N.). In Green- 

 land and the north-east of arctic N. America it is replaced by the light-breasted 

 form, while the black brent replaces it in the arctic regions of Western America 

 and arctic Siberia from the Lena eastward. The normal winter range of this species 

 extends to the shores of the Baltic and North Seas, but occasionally it has been 

 recorded from some distance inland, and has occurred as a straggler even in the 

 Mediterranean and on the coast of Marocco. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. A cold-weather visitor from the Far North in great numbers, 

 generally appearing between 20th September and 21st November, although excep- 

 tionally recorded as early as 12th August (cf. Clarke, Studies in Bird Migration, 

 1912, vol. i. p. 160). It is more abundant on the east coast of Great Britain than 

 011 the west it will be noted that the reverse is the case with the barnacle-goose 

 but is also numerous on the Irish seaboard. On the last named, birds may be 

 seen in September, or even in August, but their numbers are greatly augmented 

 during October and November : departure takes place in April, some birds 

 remaining till May (cf. Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 183). On 

 the Yorkshire coast the main body does not usually arrive till after Christmas, 

 although odd examples may be seen from September onwards : departure 

 takes place in March, but some birds remain till May or even June (cf. 

 Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, p. 426). Gregarious; but even when large numbers 

 are present they may pass unobserved, as the species keeps much more to the 

 sea than is the case with the various " grey geese." " In the stomach of a brent- 

 goose, shot on the Yorkshire coast, were found specimens of a mollusc (Crenella 

 faber), the only known locality for which is the Sea of Ochotsk ; thus proving 

 that wild-fowl will travel enormous distances in a short time " (Harting in Nelson, 

 op. cit., p. 427). [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Does not breed in the British Isles. [F. c. B. J.] 



5. Food. Zoster a ulva and other sea- weeds, molluscs and Crustacea. Le 

 Roi states that besides small stones and earth, as well as remains of Fucus, moss 

 and grasses, stalks and leaves of Oxyria digyna, Saxifrages and other Phanero- 

 grams were identified. Roemer and Schaudinn found mussels, as well as grass 

 and other vegetable matter. Young in down, according to Le Roi, are fed on 

 Graminece and Oxyria, and Walter records freshwater algse in the stomach of one 

 bird. [F. c. B. jr.] 



