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BRENT GOOSE. 



Anser Bernicla, Bo nap. 



PLATE CCCXCI. Male and Female. 



The extent of the migrations of this species remains as yet unknown. 

 Its progress along our Atlantic shores in October, November, and De- 

 cember, is varied, and in a great measure imcertain, it being appa- 

 rently induced to tarry or to proceed by the changes which may happen 

 in the temperatxire. It in fact appears to remain along the coast until 

 forced away by the intensity of the cold, when it resumes its flight, 

 and removes to countries beyond the southern limits of the United 

 States. 



The Brent Goose may be considered as a salt-water bird, for it 

 never ascends our rivers beyond the influence of the tides, nor is found 

 on inland lakes or ponds, unless it be wounded, and happen to alight 

 accidentally in such places. To this natural predilection for salt-water 

 may be attributed its habit of flying round the projections of capes and 

 headlands : it very seldom passing directly over a neck of land, unless 

 suddenly surprised and alarmed by the gunner. 



This species has never been seen by my friend Dr Bachman in 

 South Carolina. I never observed any on the lakes or shores about 

 the mouths of the Mississippi, nor any where in the course of my route 

 to the Texas. While I was in that country, I did not find any person 

 who could give me sufiicient reasons for believing that it ever tarries 

 there. Where it may go in winter is therefore to me unknown. 



The flesh of this bird I consider as excellent food. The young in 

 autumn, or about the time of their first appearance on our eastern coast, 

 Massachusetts for example, are tender, juicy, and fat ; and are as well 

 known to the epicures of Boston as the more celebrated Canvass-back 

 is to those of Baltimore. 



Its flight resembles that of our other Geese, being in ordinary cir- 

 cumstances rather slow and sedate. As to its cry, although I have 

 often seen hundreds of individuals at a time, I have not been able to 

 time my ears so as to liken its cacklings to the soimds produced by " a 

 pack of hounds in full cry," as alleged by Wilson. The Brent Goose 



