Black Brent 165 



Max. breadth 5 1 mm. ( == 2 in.), with 74 mm. length ( = 2.91 in.) and 726 cgrm. weight. 

 Min - » 47.5 „ (=1.87,,), „ 75-5 ,, „ (=3.05,,) „ 654 „ 

 Max. length 78.5 „ ( = 3.09»), „ 50.5 „ breadth (= 1.98 „ ) „ 666 „ 

 Min - ,. 68 „ ( = 2.67,,), „ 48 „ „ (=1.88 „) „ 627 „ 



Max. weight 744 cgrm., with 50 mm. ( = 1.96 in.) breadth and 75 mm. ( = 2.95 in.) length. 

 Min. „ 627 „ „ 48 „ (=1.88 „) „ „ 68 mm. ( = 2.67 „ ) „ 



Six eggs gave : 



six eggs gave : — 



Mean breadth 49.5 mm. ( = 1.94 in.) ; max. breadth 57 mm. ( = 2 in.); min. breadth 47.5 mm. (= 1.87 in.). 

 „ length 74 „ ( = 2.91 „); „ length 78.5 ( = 3.09»); » length 68 „ (=2.67 „ ). 



weight 690 cgrm. ; „ weight 744 cgrm. ; „ weight 627 cgrm. 



As to the mode of life, habits, migration, call, etc., apparently no essential difference 

 has been noted between this goose and Branta bernicla. Its chief food is the Zostera, 

 but small molluscs are sometimes found in the stomach. 



In conclusion, I cannot but dwell on the following observation of Professor Menzbier 

 {Ptitsy Rossii, i. p. 725) : " I think that, although the majority of brent-geese passing over 

 European Russia are typical Anser brenta, yet Anser nigricans occurs among them, 

 especially in Eastern Russia." 



I absolutely do not know what to say to this, as I am unable to find any indication, 

 either direct or indirect, of such an occurrence. Or can it be that the statements of 

 sea-brent being occasionally killed in England with perfectly black bellies served as the 

 grounds for the above hypothesis of the author of Ptitsy Rossiil It is, however, far from 

 being yet proved that the black-bellied specimens sometimes met with in England had the 

 corresponding broad white collars ; in other words, that such examples really belonged to 

 nigricans. If this were the fact, English ornithologists would probably have included this 

 latter goose in the fauna of their country. 



