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CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 



land, as far south as the entrance to Swinomish Slough. This definite daily 

 migration continues until about noon. As this was the approximate time 

 of high water, it leaves a little doubt in my mind as to whether the tide stage 

 influenced their actions or whether this was a normal daily occurrence. 

 I had not the opportunity to establish this point, but the fact remains that 

 the southerly migration on both the 13th and 14th terminated about that time. 

 There was little activity until evening, with the first of the flight northward 

 beginning about 4 p.m., and until long after dark, the flight continued. 

 It was my assumption that the northerly flight is for the i)urpose of reaching 

 more open and unrestricted waters where the brant may drift and rest at 

 night without being cast upon the shore as there are heavy currents in these 



Fig. 13U. Map showing brant concentration areas, State of Washington. 



bays, which in conjunction with the storms that were persisting, could be 

 expected to drift them onto the beaches in a short while. Even in Samish 

 Bay they must be continually alert to keep off shore as with the heavy 

 winds they drift quite rapidly. 



Observing birds at close range on December 14th, it was found that 

 they could breast a fifty-mile gale with ease, both in the air and on the 

 water. At one spot, with a four-knot tide running, with seas approximately 

 12 feet high, a small group of about twenty birds remained practically 

 stationary for an hour's time, but, of course, were continually alert to retain 

 their position. 



