Goose-shooting 245 



The breeding-ground of the brant is in the 

 remote North, and the nest was first discovered 

 by Mr. Feilden, June 21, 1875, in latitude 82 33'. 

 Subsequently, it has been found breeding abun- 

 dantly on Parry- Islands, the nests being numer- 

 ous and in close proximity to each other. They 

 were placed on the beach, well lined with down 

 and feathers, and contained from three to four 

 eggs. (B. B. & R.) About Bellot's Strait the birds 

 were found nesting in the cliffs. The brant reach 

 their breeding-grounds late in June, and soon 

 pair off. The gander protects the nest in the 

 absence of the goose. In July and early August 

 the old birds moult, and at this time are killed in 

 numbers by the natives, who salt them for winter 

 use. With the first favorable winds in late Sep- 

 tember, the migration south begins. They arrive 

 at the winter quarters, in the vicinity of the Chesa- 

 peake and the coast to the south, about the first 

 of November, spending but little time en route. 

 The birds are first seen on Long Island by the 

 middle of October, and at this time show evidence 

 of a long flight, being in poor flesh and ready to 

 spend most of their time at rest. Off the North 

 and South Carolina coasts, the brant gather in 

 vast flocks, in calm weather remaining bedded in 

 great numbers; they fly at intervals from one 

 feeding-ground to another, the entire flock mov- 

 ing at once. The flight is in long, wavy lines, 



