250 The Water-fowl Family 



The salt-water bays along the coast, in the vi- 

 cinity of San Diego and farther south, off southern 

 and Lower California, are the winter homes of the 

 black brant. North of San Diego the bird is 

 less common, and probably the flight over a 

 large part of the. distance from Alaska south is 

 over water. 



The bird is killed from the sandy points and 

 islands, in the lagoons and bays. The flight is on 

 the ebb tide and for a short time, but the flocks 

 come fast. Flying in undulating lines, close to 

 the water, now high up, they first appear, a dark 

 line in the far distance, steadily growing larger 

 and blacker till they hover at the edge of the 

 decoys. 



The habits are similar to its eastern relative's. 

 It feeds on various grasses and seaweeds, occa- 

 sionally Crustacea. When young the flesh is ten- 

 der and palatable. The old birds are tough, and 

 often have a fishy taste. 



BARNACLE GOOSE 

 {Branta leucopsis) 



Adult male and female — Lores, back of head, neck, and breast, 

 black ; remainder of head, nearly white ; wings and back, slate, 

 the feathers marked with a subterminal black bar, and a terminal 

 one of white ; flanks, brownish gray, feathers with white tips ; 

 under parts, grayish white ; bill and feet, black ; iris, dark brown. 



Measurements — Length, 25 inches; wing, 15 inches; tarsus, 2.75 

 inches; oilmen, 1.25 inches. 



