134 Nelson on tlic Black Brant. 



four to ten birds. Scarcely have the reports died away when they 

 once more glide along close to the ground ; the alarm is forgo tton ; 

 order is again restored, and the usual note is heard as they swiftly 

 disappear in the distance. Thus they continue flying until one 

 or two o'clock in the afternoon when, after a pause of three or 

 four hours, they begin again and continue until after sundown. 



The migration of this species in spring generally continues for 

 a week to ten days from its first arrival, but during the spring of 

 1880 they were seen from the 20th of May until June 8th. Twice 

 during the breeding season, in the spring of 1S79, I saw single 

 birds which each time circled mutely about overhead with all 

 the appearance of a bird whose nest was not far away, but, if 

 such was the case. 1 did not succeed in finding it. My native 

 workman told me. at the time, that a few instances had occurred 

 of single nests being found here. The mouth of the Yukon 

 probably forms the extreme southern limit of this bird's occurrence 

 in the breeding season. 



With the exception of the fainted Goose, the Black Brant is 

 the fattest of the spring Geese, and the natives smack their lips 

 in anticipation when the first arrivals are announced. They also 

 stand high in favor with the Russian residents along the coast who 

 refer with pride to some big day they have had shooting " Xim- 

 kec." and wind up with the remark that they are ''good eating, 

 too." For my own part I admit a decided partiality for the Black 

 Brant in spring; first, on account of its fatness and the consequent 

 important addition it makes to our table, replacing for a time 

 the other species of lean and sinewy Geese and Ducks: and. 

 secondly, for the sport it affords, occurring, as it does, in far 

 greater numbers than all the other species together. But, to be 

 properly enjoyed upon the table, they must be eaten within three 

 or four days of being killed, as after that time the fat begins to 

 become fluid about the joints anil is invested with a daily in- 

 creasing flavor which by no means adds to the quality of the 

 roast. 



The flight of this species is peculiar among North American 

 Geese and bears a close resemblance to that of the Eider and 

 other species of heavy-bodied short-winged Sea Ducks. It has 

 a parallel in the flight of the Emperor Goose except that the 

 latter is a far heavier bird and. in consequence, the wing strokes 

 are less rapid. In B. nigricans the strokes are short, energetic, 



