158 



THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



becomes perfect the second year of its age. It is 

 said to be the smallest of all geese, but one severe 

 winter, about thirty years ago, we were visited by a 

 large number of a smaller bird, much blacker than 

 the usual Brent, and having the ring imperfectly 

 formed. They were very tame, and many were 



THE BRENT (i) AND BERNICLE (2). 



killed during their stay. Could these have been 

 merely young birds, or is it possible there is a smaller 

 species of Brent ? The best shot I ever made at 

 Brent Geese was 23^ couple, 47 birds bagged, 

 besides all that got away in the rough water, half a 

 gale of wind blowing at the time. This shot is 



