248 The Water-fowl Family 



Edward's Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, 

 the birds always keeping close to the coast. They 

 arrive here during the last of April, and in May. 

 On the Magdalen Islands at this time the lagoons 

 are sometimes covered with brant. The natives 

 shoot them from the bars when a heavy wind 

 drives the flocks well in toward land, or by put- 

 ting brush or seaweed in a small boat, drift or 

 quietly paddle within range. Like all our water- 

 fowl, brant are easily killed at night, swimming 

 together in a close mass at the approach of a 

 light. Under these circumstances the havoc 

 caused is great ; often ten or more birds are killed 

 by a single shot. 



They never breed in captivity, but become gen- 

 tle and tame and are readily cared for. The flesh 

 of the young bird is excellent; the old bird is 

 rather tough for the table. The weight of the 

 brant is from three to six pounds. 



BLACK BRANT 

 (Branta nigricans) 



Adult male and female — Head, neck, and upper parts of breast 

 black. The middle of the neck has a pure white collar inter- 

 rupted behind, with oblique white streaks running upward for an 

 inch outside of the ring. Upper parts, breast, and abdomen, 

 dark plumbeous. Sides of the rump, anal region, upper and 

 under tail-coverts, snow-white. Tail black. Bill and feet, 

 black. Iris, brown. 



Measurements — Length, 25 inches; wing, 13 inches; culmen, 1.35 

 inches; tarsus, 2.50 inches. 



