THE BRENT GOOSE. 157 



enough for observation, the peculiar coughing grunt 

 of the true Bernicle, as well as the white patch near 

 the eye, and larger size, at once distinguishes the 

 species. Brent remain on the coast till the end of 

 April, but if a favourable gale set in, they will sweep 

 away earlier. In very hard weather, when their food 

 freezes between the tides, Brent become tame and 

 starved, as do all other geese in time of severe 

 frost. I have more than once seen a wounded 

 Brent heading out to sea against the wind overtaken 

 by a Great Black-backed Gull. The latter would 

 pass the goose some fifty yards, then face about and 

 come full tilt down wind against the slow-flying bird, 

 sending it like a stone to the water, and if not killed 

 outright, so disabled as to fall an easy prey. Sir R. 

 Gore Booth tells me he has found Brent very abun- 

 dant on both sides of Novaia Zemblia in June, July, 

 and August. 



The following letter from Sir Frederic Hughes, 

 of Wexford, an experienced wildfowler, touching 

 past and present visits of the Brent Geese to Wex- 

 ford Harbour, is so interesting that no apology seems 

 needed for quoting it. Writing on November 14, 

 1 88 1, he says : " The small goose that used to fre- 

 quent this harbour and coast in such prodigious 

 numbers, and even still shows abundantly during 

 most winters, is the Brent. During the forty years 

 which I have been shooting on this part of the 

 coast, I have never met with the Bernicle Goose. 

 Some years ago, both birds might have been seen 

 feeding together in captivity, in St. James's Park, 

 and they have a few there still. The Brent Goose is 

 remarkable for a white ring round the neck, which 



