NATATORES — ANATID^E — ANSER. 351 



THE BRANT. 



Anser bernicla. 

 plate cvii. fig. 239. 



Anas btmicla, Linnjecs, p. 198. Brent Goose, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 551. 



The Brant. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 131, pi. 72, fig. 1. Bonap. Ann. Lye. N. V. Vol. 2, p. 387. Rich- 



F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 469. 

 Anser id. Aodubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 203, pi. 379. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 359. Gieaod, Birds of 



Long island, p. 293. 



Characteristics. Blackish ash : head, neck and breast black ; a white patch on each side 

 of the neck ; beneath whitish ; bill and feet black. Length, 23 * 0. 



Description. Bill small, much shorter than the head, subconical, turned down at the tip : 

 nasal groove elongated ; nostrils sub-basal, elliptical. Tibia bare for a short distance. Tarsus 

 2'0, compressed, and longer than the middle toe. Tail very short, much rounded. 



Color. Head, neck, shoulders and upper part of the breast blackish. Bill and feet black . 

 Lower eyelid, spot on the chin, and a few tips of feathers on the sides of the neck, white. 

 Dorsal plumage brown, margined with greyish. Quills, tertiaries, rump and tail greenish 

 black. Sides of the rump, and the vent, and of the upper and under tail-coverts white. 

 Flanks barred with white and grey. Female, slightly smaller, but in no respect different. 

 Young, no white patch on the side of the neck ; plumage above and beneath barred with 

 reddish brown. 



Length, 22-0-25'0. 



The Brant is considered as one of our most savory birds. In its transit from its breeding 

 places near the Arctic sea, it appears in great numbers on the coast of New- York in the 

 first or second week in October, and continues passing on to the south until December. Some 

 few have been observed to remain all winter. They are again seen with us in April and May, 

 on their way north, when they are in the best condition. Feed exclusively on Zostera marina, 

 or eel-grass, and other marine plants. The history of its migrations is not yet complete. 

 On the Atlantic coast, it has been observed from 73° to 38° north- On the Pacific, it appears 

 to range from Columbia river, where it was seen by Mr. Townsend, to the 26th parallel, 

 The Brant is capable of domestication, and is found on both continents. 



