THE OOLOGIST 



31 



174 Black Brant Branta nigricans. 

 We present herewith a half tone of 

 a pair of these birds, which we have 

 liad for several years. When not han- 

 dled nor disturbed, they become com- 

 paratively tame, and do nicely in con- 

 finement. But the least effort to be- 

 come familiarly acquainted with them 

 always results in disturbance which 

 takes them several days to get over. 



So far as known, the main breeding 

 ground of the Black Brant is on the 

 Arctic coast and the islands adjacent, 



near the mouth of the Anderson river, 

 though other breeding colonies are 

 known. 



Its Eastern relative, the Common 

 Brant, is supposed to breed farther 

 North than any other living bird; at 

 least they have been found going 

 North at the highest altitudes ever 

 reached by man prior to the breaking 

 out of the Cook-Peary controversy. 



This bird lays from four to six eggs 

 and builds its nest on the ground 

 something after the manner of a 

 Loon. 



