BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 253 
me that before the Barnacles go off in a late spring, eggs are 
often found out on the banks where they have been resting; " 
but in conversation, Mr. R. Service told me that although he 
offered half-a-sovereign for any such egg, not one was ever 
forthcoming. The breeding-place of this species is believed 
to be in north-east Greenland and possibly parts of Spitz- 
bergen, but at present there exists but little information 
concerning its nidification. 
THE BRENT GOOSE. Bemicla hrenta (Pallsis). 
A winter-visitant to the Solway. 
This entirely maritime species cannot be regarded as a 
common visitor to our shores, although it is perhaps more 
frequent now than in former years, but of this we cannot be 
positive, for there are no old records of its local occurrence ; 
though William Hastings told Mr. R. Service that in the 
course of his business (1860-1885) he had occasionaUy 
received Brent Geese for preservation. 
As regards more recent years ; this species was observed off 
our coast in the winter of 1885-1886, and " On August 25th, 
1889, Mr. Nicol obtained a close view of a solitary, white- 
breasted Brent, which twice flew round him. It came from 
the Scottish side, and had perhaps passed the summer on 
the estuary of the Nith."* In 1895, " Mabie Moss " wrote 
"The Brent is a species of goose so sufficiently scarce 
on the Solway as to deserve a note."t Mr. R. Service 
records them as coming in considerable numbers to the 
Solway in the winter of 1896-1897t; and in 1903 he states that 
though once very scarce, they are now far more often seen.§ 
A female was shot on January 7th, 1907, at Ruthwell,|| and 
* Fauna of Lakeland, 1902, p. 245. 
t Dumfries Courier and Herald, February 4th, 1895. 
t Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1897, p. 192. 
§ Op. cit., 1903, p. 200. 
II TuIIie House Museum Registers. 
