246 The Water-fowl Family 



one minute high up, the next just over the water's 

 edge. This undulating character is unmistakable, 

 and marks the birds afar. They keep in the open 

 water, avoiding carefully the points of land and 

 the bush blinds which are scattered through the 

 bay, settling on the beds of eel grass that abound 

 in these shallow sounds. They pluck it up in 

 quantities, feeding at their leisure. While feed- 

 ing, the body is kept above water, the bird dipping 

 down with its neck. Brant have a peculiar fond- 

 ness for sand, and their habit of frequenting the 

 bars and beaches is known as "sanding." The 

 noise from a large number is great, being a ronk, 

 ronk. During windy or stormy weather the birds 

 become uneasy and restless. The congregation 

 breaks up into small flocks. String after string 

 is seen following the same certain line of flight. 

 Now they decoy readily. If on the point of pass- 

 ing by without noticing, a quick motion from the 

 blind will often attract attention to the stool. 

 One or two birds circle, and the flock swings 

 in. A wounded bird is easily captured, as it 

 does not dive, but skulks with the head out of 

 water. 



On Long Island, batteries, anchored in the line 

 of flight and surrounded by a large number of 

 decoys, are employed. Occasionally the birds 

 lead within range of the smaller islands, though 

 seldom flying over land. 



