66 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



uncommon. At Montauk it is known by the name of ' Mud 

 Goose,' and is frequently observed in company with the pre- 

 ceding species, to which, in the general color of the plumage, it 

 bears a strong resemblance. In size it is much smaller, though 

 larger than the ' Brant,' exceeding that species about three 

 inches, and having the white patch on the sides of the head sim- 

 ilar to the Canada Goose. 



" On the south shore of Long Island it is not known to the 

 gunners, though I have no doubt that it is frequently procured 

 there, and from the close resemblance it bears in its general 

 markings to the Canada Goose, is considered a variety of that 

 species. At some seasons it has been known to be quite abun- 

 dant on the coast of Massachusetts, in the vicinity of Boston, 

 and it has been shot on the Chesapeake. 



" Dr. Richardson states that it is well knowTi at Hudson's 

 Bay, and that it is always found on the seacoast, feeding on 

 marine plants, and the molusca which adhere to them, whence 

 its flesh derives a strong fishy taste." — Griraud's Birds of Long 

 Island. 



BRENT GOOSE. 



Brant, Anas Bernicla ; Wils. Amer. Orn. Anscr Bernicla, Brent 

 Goose; Sw. S( Ricli. Brant or Brent Goose ; Nutt. Mann. 



" Specific Character. — Bill black ; head and neck all round 

 black ; a patch on the sides of the neck white ; upper parts 

 brownish-gray — the feathers margined with light grayish-brown ; 

 quills and primary coverts grayish-black ; fore part of breast, 

 light brownish-gray, the feathers terminall} margined with 

 grayish-white ; abdomen and lower tail coverts white ; sides 

 gray, the feathers rather broadly tipped with white. Length 

 two feet, wing fourteen inches and a half Female rather 

 smaller. 



"The Brent Goose, or the ' Brant,' as it is more familiarly 

 called, makes its appearance among us about the fifteenth of 



