BRENT GEESE. 195 



At frequent intervals they must go afloat to drink, splash 

 about, and preen themselves. But I have perhaps written 

 enough to show the sort of effect produced by the relative 

 changes of time and tide, neap and spring, upon their move- 

 ments. These, of necessity varying in each locality, must 

 be ascertained for himself by every puntsman who wishes to 

 be thoroughly conversant with their local habits and idio- 

 syncrasies. 



On alighting at their feeding grounds, the Geese at once 

 commence greedily to pull up and devour the blades of the 

 sea-grass, or Zostera marina ; the whole black crowd ad- 

 vancing in the closest order over the green oozy mud, all 

 heads down, except the sentries, of which an ample number 

 are always discernible. With their small narrow bills, it 

 takes a considerable time for a Brent to satisfy his appetite, 

 and as the flood-tide covers the flats they still continue feed- 

 ing as busily as ever, pulling up the sea-grass which grows 

 within reach beneath them. Even at full tide, and in deep 

 water, the Geese have no difficulty in obtaining abundance of 

 food in the floating grass which is always carried off the flats 

 by the tide. They never, however, dive for their food or 

 otherwise, except when wounded, and, even then, they are 

 very poor hands at diving. 



In approaching a gaggle of Black Geese feeding afloat, 

 during the exciting moments when the punt gradually draws 

 near, a number of white spots are observed constantly to 

 break their dark line, appearing for a moment, then vanish- 

 ing. The effect is rather peculiar, and is caused by the 

 Geese (as the water deepens) turning up vertically in the sea, 

 paddling with their feet while their heads reach down to the 

 waving grasses below. Their black fore-ends are thus sub- 

 merged, and their white sterns protrude conspicuously. 



After finishing their morning feed, about noon, the Geese 

 are disposed to rest and spend the middle of the day float- 

 ing about on the water, preening themselves ; and, in mild 

 weather, splashing about and chasing each other in sheer 

 exuberance of spirit very much analogous to what we 

 would call a "flirtation." During this midday interlude 

 they are very wide awake and absolutely unapproachable. 



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