WATER BIRDS. 



Brant, or Brent Goose 



Wandering Albatross. 



The Brant, or Brent Goose, is about two feet long and three and half feet across the wings, and is one of 

 the aquatics common to the arctic regions of both continents. They breed in multitudes on the coasts and 

 islands of Hudson's Bay, but are rarely seen inland. In Europe they haunt Greenland and Spitzbergen. In 

 winter they abound in Ireland and Holland, remaining there till spring. In America, they visit most of 

 the north and middle states, but passes the winter as far south as New Orleans. They migrate southward 

 in September. The Brant feeds usually on the bars at low water and occasionally in the marshes. Their 

 common food is the laver and other marine plants, though they sometimes eat small shell-fish. In winter 

 their flesh is esteemed a great delicacy. 



The Barnacle Goose, is said to abound in the arctic regions of either continent, which are its breeding 

 grounds, migrating in autumn and winter to milder climes. In the United States, .hey are known merely 

 as passengers along its coasts. The fact of this bird hiding itself, in breeding season, in unknown polar- 

 regions has given rise to the absurd est fables concerning its ori- 

 gin. It was long believed, even by learned men, to be the 

 product of certain shells, found on a species of tree in Scot- 

 land and the Orkneys, or on the rotten timber of decaying 

 ships. When these strange fruits had attained maturity, they 

 dropped into the sea and became geese. But we need not 

 enlarge on such absurdities. 



The Domestic Goose is so familliar to all, that no special 

 description is needed. It is a handsome creature, though its 

 voice is not very musical or its gait very elastic. 



Barnacle Goose 



l)omestio Goose 



QiOb) 



26* 



