72 THE BRANT. 



visited the coast of Picardy in France, in prodigious multitudes, and 

 committed great depredations on the corn, tearing it up by the roots, 

 trampling and devouring it ; and notwithstanding the exertions of the 

 inhabitants, ■who were constantly employed in destroying them, they 

 continued in great force until a change of weather carried them off. 



The Brant generally weighs about four pounds avoirdupois, and 

 measures two feet in length, and three feet six inches in extent ; the 

 bill is about an inch and a half long, and black ; the nostril large, 

 placed nearly in its middle ; head, neck, and breast black, the neck 

 marked with a spot of white, about two inches below the eye ; belly 

 pale ash edged with white ; from the thighs backwards white ; back and 

 wing coverts dusky brownish black, the plumage lightest at the tips ; 

 rump and middle of the tail coverts black, the rest of the tail coverts 

 pure white, reaching nearly to the tip of the tail, the whole of which is 

 black, but usually concealed by the white coverts ; primaries and secon- 

 daries deep black ; legs also black ; irides dark hazel. 



The only material difference observable between the plumage of the 

 male and female, is, that in the latter the white spot on the neck is less, 

 and more mottled with dusky. In young birds it is sometimes wanting, 

 or occurs on the front, cheeks, and chin ; and sometimes the upper part 

 of the neck, only, is black,* but in full plumaged birds, of both sexes, 

 the markings are very much alike. 



The Brant is often seen in our markets for sale. Its flesh, though 

 esteemed by many, tastes somewhat sedgy, or fishy. 



* The figure of this bird given by Bewick, is in that state. 



