DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 233 



seen in any numbers on our seas before October ; 

 but from that date onwards vast flocks continue to 

 arrive, and the bird continues abundant until the 

 end of the following March. Certainly some 

 districts are far more favoured by this species than 

 others. In my own experience I may name the 

 Wash, where I have seen this Goose in such 

 enormous packs as densely to cover many acres of 

 mud-flat ; whilst their noisy clamour, in the still 

 hours of early morning, could be heard for a mile 

 or more across the wide, desolate salt-marshes. 

 The Brent Goose passes its time either on the sea 

 or on the muds. It is remarkably gregarious, young 

 and old congregating together, wary and watchful 

 always, and never allowing a close approach on the 

 land. So densely do the birds pack, that a disturbed 

 flock taking wing looks as though the very surface 

 of the mud or sea were rising in one solid, in- 

 separable mass. The principal food of this Goose 

 consists of grass, wrack, and laver. On certain 

 mud-banks these plants grow very thickly, and to 

 these the Brents resort as soon as the tide recedes 

 sufficiently for them to reach and to tear up their 

 favourite food. In studied order the birds advance, 

 feeding as they come, sentinels remaining on the 

 look-out in turn, until all are satisfied, or the in- 

 coming tide covers their food-plants. Then back, 

 in a solid mass, they go towards the open sea, or to 

 some low bank, there to rest and preen their plumage, 

 and to wait until another tide has ebbed, and left 



