236 SYSTEMATIC CATALOGUE. 



BRENT GOOSE, Anser torquatus. During the 

 severe winter to which I have just alluded brent 

 geese were unusually abundant at Paghara Har- 

 bour. I shot several myself. This is the best 

 bird I ever tasted : the flesh is as tender and juicy 

 as that of a teal, and there is a total absence of 

 the fishy flavour which renders so many of our 

 water-fowl unfit for the table. 



EGYPTIAN GOOSE, Anser Egyptiacus. Although 

 unknown in Sussex until within the last few years, 

 several examples of the Egyptian goose have oc- 

 curred in different parts of the county. These were 

 probably the descendants of birds which had been 

 introduced into England from abroad ; and which 

 have been known in many instances to have 

 escaped from ponds and ornamental pieces of 

 water. One in my own collection was shot at 

 Shoreham Harbour, in December, 1847. I have 

 seen a specimen at Hollycombe which was killed 

 in that neighbourhood. It has also been obtained 

 at Bexhill, and in various parts of the interior. 



HOOPER, Cygnus ferus. Wild Swan or Whist- 

 ling Swan. An unusually severe winter always 

 brings this bird to our coast. In January 1839 1 

 saw several flocks at Pagham, and procured many 

 specimens. 



MUTE SWAN, Cygnus olor. Seen in a half- 

 domesticated state on ponds and rivers. Some- 



