BRENT GOOSE 78 



also plunge their heads and necks under water to obtain 

 food at the bottom of shallow sea-pools. On one occasion 

 I witnessed a large ' gaggle ' of Brent Geese break up into 

 two parties ; one continued to feed as above described, 

 the other entered the shallow, tranquil water of the 

 rising tide, on which they moved smoothly in the same 

 direction as though gliding O n the surface of a polished 

 sheet of glass. Calmly but not suspiciously they viewed 

 their surroundings, turning their heads and slender necks 

 now to this side now to that, having nought to fear, and 

 presenting a peaceful and fascinating appearance on a warm, 

 calm, bright day in mid-winter. It is astonishing how 

 unsuspicious these Geese are when compared with those 

 harassed by the ' staunchion ' shooter. The hunted Brent 

 becomes gun-shy and extremely vigilant, guarding its 

 numbers by outposted sentinels. Illustrative of the astute- 

 ness of this species when trying to baffle the efforts of 

 the sportsman, Sir R. Payne-Gallwey writes : " A couple 

 of winters ago I was lying in a deep channel at low tide. 

 There was a large gaggle of several hundred Brent, feeding 

 some distance off. One of them wandered from his com- 

 panions a long way in search, I suppose, of daintier food. 

 He suddenly popped his head over the bank within a dozen 

 yards of where I lay motionless in my punt awaiting the 

 rising tide that would bring me within shot. The Goose 

 stared. I stared. " Brenta ? ' would soon spring, I thought, 

 and spoil my chance of a shot with my swivel gun. Not 

 so ! he merely stalked back to his friends, and on reaching 

 them sprang up and led them off seaward." 



Flight. The flight of the Brent Goose is strong and 

 swift. When flying the members of a flock frequently alter 

 their relative positions. I have seen a flock travel through 

 the air in a steady V-shaped pattern for some distance, and 

 then change to an irregular linear figure, the birds in the 

 rear overtaking those in advance. Finally, before descend- 

 ing, the flock often assumes a rounded and compact mass, 

 which thins out as the birds approach the ground. 



Voice. The note may be syllabled hoyank-hunk-hunk : 

 it is rather loud and unmusical. 



Food. The Brent feeds among the ooze and patches of 

 sand, laid bare by the receding tide. It seems very partial 

 to Zoster a marina, but other seaweeds are also eaten. It 

 feeds by day, differing, in that respect, from the Bernacle. 



Nest. The nest is built of grass and other vegetable 

 materials, and is thickly lined with down. 



