WILD FOWL. 



is not unusual for it to attempt escape by diving. As it seldom 

 passes thirty or forty yards under water, it is generally secured. 

 With the lovers of water-fowl the Brant is highly esteemed. 

 Even the adult birds are tender and juicy, and free from a fishy 

 flavor, but at times, from the nature of its food, its flesh acquires 

 a sedgy taste. It is considered superior for the table late in 

 the spring. The epicure well knows the merits of the ' May 

 Brant.' 



" In the plumage, there are no markings by which the sex 

 can be distinguished. Many undertake to determine it by the 

 white markings on the sides of the neck, supposing that charac- 

 ter to be more fully developed on the neck of the male ; but this 

 cannot be depended upon. I have frequently selected them 

 by this supposed distinction, and on dissection the male and 

 female organs have appeared without reference to such char- 

 acter. 



" Their unwillingness to give up their wandering habits, 

 makes it difficult to domesticate them. I have frequently tried 

 it with young birds, having taken the precaution to cut off" a 

 joint from one of their wings, thus rendering them incapable of 

 flying ; still they would wander to the creeks that lead to the 

 bay, and doubtless have fallen easy game to some passing 

 sportsman. With a good deal of attention, particularly when 

 associated with Canada Geese that have been domesticated, its 

 native propensities are more easily subdued ; but in the domes- 

 tic state they have never been known to breed. 



" The average weight of the Bi'ent is four pounds. The adult 

 can be distinguished to a certainty from the young, by its 

 wings — which are entirely black, while those of the latter are 

 broadly tipped with white. As soon as the ice begins to form 

 in our bays, it retires southward. Returning in April, it con- 

 tinues its visit until late in May, when they assemble at the 

 * great nursery' at the North." — Criraud's Birds of Long Island. 



" The Brent, or as it is usually written. Brant, is a bird well 

 known on both continents, and celebrated in former times, 



