610 BRENT GOOSE. 



breadth is 6 twelfths ; presently after it enlarges to 8 twelfths, then 

 contracts to 6 twelfths, and so continues until it begins to form the loop, 

 on which its breadth is again 8 twelfths ; after this it gradually tapers, 

 so as to be only 2^ twelfths wide at the inferior larynx, where its 

 depth, however, is 5 twelfths. The form of that part is much the same 

 as in the Swans, there being a similar elevated, bony, curved edge on 

 each side, projecting beyond the commencement of the membrane of 

 the bronchus, which is | inch in length before the first ring appears. 

 These membranes form a pretty large sac of a triangular form ; 

 and the continuation of the bronchus is extremely diminutive, with 

 only 10 very small and slender cartilaginous half rings. The la- 

 teral muscles are large ; their anterior part gives ofi" the sterno-tracheal 

 at the distance of 2^ inches from the inferior larynx ; but the posterior 

 part, which is much larger, runs down 1 inch farther, and then termi- 

 nates in a pointed form, not extending so far as to constitute an inferior 

 laryngeal muscle. The rings of the trachea are broad, very firm, con- 

 siderably flattened, 220 in number. 



BRENT GOOSE. 



AnSER BERNICLA, BoNAP. 

 PLATE CCCXCI. Vol. V. p. 24. 



" A few years ago," Mr Thomas MacCulloch writes to me, " a 

 Brant Goose, slightly wounded in the tip of the wing, was brought us, 

 but it rejected sea-grass and every thing else which was offered it, and 

 died in a few days after it came into our possession. Shortly after we 

 procured another which had been disabled in the same manner. Like 

 the first it rejected every thing but water, and would certainly soon 

 have shared the fate of its predecessor, had not my mother thrown a 

 handful of unshelled barley into the tub of water, in which it was ac- 

 customed to swim. The grain was immediately devoured by the bird, 

 with as much avidity as if it had been its usual fare ; and during the 

 time it remained with us, it would taste no other food. It having re- 



