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BEE?s T T GOOSE. 



BRAXD GOOSE. WARE GOOSE. BARNICLE. HARRA GOOSE, (ill Shetland.) 



Anser torquatas, ..... Jentn-s. 



Anser Irenta, ...... TVniorGHBT. 



Anas hemicla, ..... Pedant. 



Oie eravant, ...... Teiouxce. 



Anser — A. Goose. Torquatm— That weareth a collar. 



It is singular that this Goose, so very distinct as a species, should ever have been 

 confounded with the true Bernicle, and yet such is the case, and not always by 

 the most illiterate. It has probably arisen from the country people in some districts, 

 calling it by the name of Barnicle, though they are aware of the distinction between 

 the two species, calling the true Barnicle the "Land Barnicle," at least it is so in some 

 parts of Ireland. 



The Brent Goose is a winter visitant to our shores, and is more decidedly maritime 

 in its habits than any of the Geese already described, very rarely being found inland, 

 and but seldom approaching the shore, even when wounded. It frequents sand-banks 

 exposed by the tide, and is chiefly found on such coasts as are well supplied with 

 Zostera marina, a marine flowering plant growing in creeks and shoals, where large 

 tracts are left bare at low water. It. is found in greater or less numbers all round our 

 coasts, in such places as we have named; being found in Dorset, Hampshire, Norfolk, 

 Suffolk, Lincoln, Yorkshire, Northumberland, and other counties; but chiefly frequenting 

 the Eastern coasts. In Scotland it is frequent; and in Ireland also plentiful. 



It is found in all Northern Europe and America. 



"When in good condition the Brent Goose is considered good eating. 



They assemble, in favourite localities, in incredible numbers, often literally blackening 

 the surface of the sand or water they are resting upon. They arrive in Belfast Bay 

 from the 20th. to the end of August, and remain till the end of April, or early in 

 May. In Northumberland they make their appearance early in October, and leave 

 before April. They feed chiefly during the day-time, being but rarely known to do 



