BRANT GOOSE. 83 



incorrectly Black Brant, which, however, is quite a 

 different bird. In Spitzbergen, where it breeds, it goes 

 by the name of " Ring-gaas," i. e., " Ring Goose." 



BR ANT A BERNICLA. 



Geographical Distribution. — Northern portion of both hem- 

 ispheres. In North America mainly on the Atlantic coast; 

 rare in the valley of the Mississippi. 



Adult. — Head, neck, breast, and back at base of neck, black; 

 a patch of white, in Streaks, on either side of the neck. Upper 

 parts, brownish gray, the feathers tipped narrowly with pale 

 brown or grayish white. Under parts, grayish white, graduating 

 mto pure white about and under the tail. Middle of rump, 

 brownish black. Upper and under tail coverts, pure white. 

 Tail, black. Primaries and secondaries, brownish black. Bill, 

 legs, and feet, black. Iris, brown. Total length, 24-30 inches; 

 wing, 13; tarsus, i'^^\ culmen, to end of nail, i^. 



Young. — Similar to the adult, but with conspicuous white bars 

 across the wings, formed by the tips of the coverts and second- 

 aries. The white patch, on neck is absent, and the under parts 

 are uniformly lighter. 



