THE BRANT. 183 



frequently occur corresponding in their markings with 

 that called the barnacle of Europe, that is, in having 

 the upper parts lighter, and the front, cheeks, and 

 chin whitish. These appear evidently a variety of the 

 brant, probably young birds : what strengthens this last 

 opinion is the fact, that none of them are found so 

 marked on their return northward in the spring. 



The brant is expected at Egg Harbour, on the coast 

 of New Jersey, about the 1st of October, and has been 

 sometimes seen as early as the 20th of September. The 

 first flocks generally remain in the bay a few days, and 

 then pass on to the south. On recommencing their 

 journey, they collect in one large body, and, making an 

 extensive spiral course, some miles in diameter, rise to 

 a great height in the air, and then steer for the sea, 

 over which they uniformly travel j often making wide 

 circuits to avoid passing over a projecting point of land. 

 In these aerial routes, they have been met with many 

 leagues from shore, travelling the whole night. Their 

 line of march very much resembles that of the Canada 

 goose, with this exception, that frequently three or 

 four are crowded together in the front, as if striving for 

 precedency. Flocks continue to arrive from the north, 

 and many remain in the bay till December, or until the 

 weather becomes very severe, when these also move off 

 southwardly. During their stay, they feed on the bars 

 at low water, seldom or never in the marshes ; their 

 principal food being a remarkably long and broad-leaved 

 marine plant, of a bright green colour, which adheres 

 to stones, and is called, by the country people, sea 

 cabbage ; the leaves of this are sometimes eight or ten 

 inches broad, by two or three feet in length : they also 

 eat small shell-fish. They never dive, but wade about, 

 feeding at low water. During the time of high water, 

 they float in the bay in long lines, particularly in calm 

 weather. Their voice is hoarse and honking, and, when 

 some hundreds are screaming together, reminds one of 

 a pack of hounds in full cry. They often quarrel among 

 themselves, and with the ducks, driving the latter off 

 their feeding ground. Though it never dives in search 



