In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 



87 



that they cannot be mistaken/'' which the observations of Mr. 

 Cecil Smith would seem entirely to upset. Perhaps further research 

 will help us on this point. 



Anser Albifrons. " The White-fronted Goose," A very pretty 

 bird, with its white forehead, black markings on the breast, and 

 pink-coloured bill . It is fairly numerous on our southern coast, and 

 was very plentiful at Christchurch during the winter of 1880-81, 

 some specimens being procurable there most years. A good bird 

 was killed near Burnham a little time ago, by a friend of mine, off 

 the mud flats of Sturt Island. I have never seen them in a wild 

 state in the parish, but had plenty of opportunity of watching their 

 habits, and procuring their eggs, from some which were keptjjon the 

 ornamental water of the Moat, close to the vicarage. They are 

 scarcely so large as the Grey- lag*, but are a heavier and stouter 

 built bird, and are capital eating. 



Bernicla Levcopsis. " The Barnacle Goose." One of the hand- 

 somest of our wild Geese, and occurring in large flocks on our 

 north-western shores, but not common southwards. It is rare at 

 Poole and Christchurch. Hart has one specimen, procured off 

 Hengistbury Head. He remarks they have a habit of skirting 

 corners on the coast, which sometimes enables you to get a shot, 

 which otherwise would not fall to your share. There is a most 

 amusing account in Waterton's essays of a match that was made 

 between a Barnacle Gander and a Canadian Goose, which, on the 

 third sitting, proved fertile, two little Goslings being hatched out, 

 which grew to maturity, and displayed a curious intermixture o£ 

 the plumage of both the parents. 



Bernicla Brenta. " The Brent Goose. " Unlike the former 

 species this bird occurs very frequently in our southern estuaries 

 and at times in any numbers. In 1880-81 they were numerous, 

 and in February, 1879, a flock of some three hundred visited Poole 

 Harbour, and could have been seen on the mud flats at low tide for 

 some period. Of all our wild Geese, indeed, this species may be 

 said to be the most common ; as Meyer remarks " incredibly large 

 flocks cover the ground at times, so as to form a perfectly black 

 field." It is one of our smaller geese, and clad in a pretty modest 



