﻿30 



ANATID.E. 



severe temperature of the atmosphere, but it is rarely seen 

 farther south than Holland and the coast of France. 



The locality chosen by the Brent Goose, is generally the 

 sea-shore and its vicinity, but we have met with it inland, 

 where the rivers have been swollen, and the country inun- 

 dated by heavy falls of rain, or covered with snow. Of all 

 descriptions of wild Geese, the present species is the most 

 regular visitant on our shores, and the mos tnumerous; as in- 

 credibly large flocks of them sometimes cover the ground, so as 

 to form a perfectly black field ; and the same remark holds 

 good with respect to the surface of the sea, particularly about 

 the mouths of large rivers or bays. In the month of November 

 the Brent Goose arrives here from its summer retreat, remains 

 the whole winter, and departs again in March and April. 

 According to accounts that are given of this species, 

 some few have been known to breed in Ireland, where their 

 numbers exceed those that appear on our shores, but we can- 

 not think otherwise but that such have been birds that have 

 been partially tamed, by their pairing with individuals kept for 

 decoys; as we cannot learn that it breeds in any of the inter- 

 mediate countries on this side of the arctic circle. 



The Brent Goose is a very beautiful and elegant bird, and 

 shews to advantage when it walks about on the ground, in 

 consequence of its smooth and close plumage, and its well- 

 proportioned figure, heightened by the beauty of its subdued 

 tints of slate colour and black ; its movements are graceful 

 and easy. Among the birds that are kept in St. James's 

 Park in London, there is not one that has given us more 

 pleasure to watch, although its colouring has nothing to 

 attract the notice of the admirers of gay apparel. The flight 

 of the Brent Goose is quick, and performed with fully ex- 

 tended wings, moved with regularity. These birds fly at a 

 great elevation during their migratory journeys, in very large 



