BRENT GOOSE. 
BERNICLA BRENTA. 
To all parts of our southern and eastern coasts, where the shores are flat, the Brent Goose is a 
regular winter visitor; the numbers, however, that put in an appearance vary considerably. On the lochs 
and open sands of the Western Ilighlands I have met with a few of these birds, but never having 
followed them for sport in that quarter of Great Britain, can state little concerning their habits in such 
localities. 
When living on the east coast of Boss-shire, I remarked that the Geese might usually be looked for 
towards the end of September, large numbers arriving during the first and second weeks in October. On 
the Dornoch and Cromarty Births they would remain for a time till forced by continued persecution 
or the severity of the weather to work further south. If any faith can be put in the stories of the natives, 
they collected formerly in thousands on the Cromarty Birth in the neighbourhood of Invergordon. The 
increase in the numbers of shooters has, however, of late years rendered these favourite resoits unsafe, and 
the majority now pass south without halting for any length of time about their old quarters. I notice that 
one or two writers profess to doubt the statements of the old fowlers as to the numbers of Geese gathering in 
these parts; judging, however, from the immense flocks (acres of sandy muds and water at times being 
densely packed by birds) that came under my own observation eighteen or twenty years ago, there 
appears no reasonable cause for disbelief. AVhile on their way towards the far north. Geese again 
make a descent in this locality as spring approaches, stragglers often remaining till late in April. On 
one occasion, in the middle of May 18C9, I noticed at least twenty or thirty birds sunning themselves on a 
mud-bank in the Cromarty Birth between Boulis and Alness. The date at which Brent Geese may be looked 
for on the Norfolk muds and the flats off the south-eastern counties depends greatly on the weather. 
Along the coasts of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, the bays, harbours, and estuaries are still visited 
in hard winters by large though gradually decreasing numbers. A short conversation with any of the 
antiquated native gunners would speedily convince the inquirer that in the opinion of these worthies the 
good old times have passed, never to return. So lately as 1878 and 1879, I have, however, watched the 
Black Geese (as Brents are known in this part) making their way along the Sussex coast to the west of 
Shoreham in bodies of two or three hundred, one flock following another in rapid succession for several 
hours. On the breaking-up of the frost the birds may again be seen from the shore as they wing their 
course towards the east. The experience of the past winter and the constant persecution to which they 
have been exposed have now rendered the survivors almost unapproachable, and it is seldom they offer 
chances to the persevering gunners. 
Occasionally after protracted gales the unfortunate birds are thoroughly worn out. Early in 1870, 
while out in the Channel off Shoreham, I fell in with about a couple of hundred sleeping quietly on the 
water, utterly regardless of danger. The dull light of a dreary winter’s day was fast closing in, and though 
