﻿26 ANATICE. 



in considerable flocks, and invariably along the sea-coast, 

 skirting the land around head-lands and bays, and passing only 

 when necessary over the open sea ; the roosting-places are 

 also the sea-coast ; consequently the Bernicle Goose does not 

 frequent inland situations. 



The Bernicle Goose is a very handsome bird, when seen 

 busied in search of food, not only on account of its graceful 

 bearing, but its marked plumage, with regular black bands 

 across its back, on a bluish ground-colour, and the contrasted 

 black and white of the head and breast ; its movements are 

 made with ease, and it is capable of running with great speed 

 if required. On the water this bird swims readily, the body 

 being so much above that element, that the knees generally 

 keep on a level with its surface. On the wing the present 

 species is very strong, and capable of performing various 

 evolutions ; when migrating, the flock generally consists in 

 pairs or families, which follow each other closely, thus forming 

 a line. The act of alighting or taking wing is accompanied 

 with a great deal of noise, from their well-proportioned, 

 powerful wings. 



These birds are sociable among their own species, and less 

 shy than the foregoing geese ; they will join a flock of cravat 

 geese, or white-fronted geese, provided the number of them 

 exceeds greatly their own, and allow the same sociability 

 to take place among their number in the opposite circum- 

 stance. Its voice or call-note is simple, and somewhat 

 lengthened ; it may be described by the word gack or each ! 

 it also hisses when provoked. 



In confinement, this bird soon becomes tame, and is a 

 pleasing acquisition in a farm-yard collection ; it lives to a 

 considerable age, being of a hardy nature. 



The principal food of the Bernicle Goose consists in the 

 leaves, shoots, and roots of vegetable matter, particularly 



