ANSERIN.E — THE GEESE — BERNICLA. 
471 
to escape by doing this when it has been wounded, although it rarely succeeds in 
accomplishing its purpose. While by many this bird is not considered as being 
desirable as food, Giraud speaks of it as excellent, even the adult birds being tender 
and juicy, and free from any lishy flavor. Its flesh has the most desirable taste in 
the spring ; but at times it acquires a disagreeable sedgy flavor. 
Owing to its apparent unwillingness to give up its wandering habits, this bird 
cannot be fully domesticated. Giraud tried the experiment with young birds, but 
without success. Even where the attempt has seemed partially successful, the Brant 
could not be made to breed. 
Mr. Audubon did not meet with this species in Texas, and could not obtain any 
evidence of its having ever been seen there ; but Mr. Dresser mentions it as common 
on that coast during the winter. 
According to Yarrell, the Brant is a regular winter visitor to the shores of all the 
maritime counties of England, remaining through all the cold months of the year. 
It is a marine species, never seen in fresh water, passing the greater portion of the 
time out at sea, frequenting extensive muddy flats, or such sand-bars as are exposed 
at every ebb-tide. It makes its appearance at these feeding-places a short time before 
the water leaves the ground exposed, and remains there, unless disturbed, until this 
is again covered by the tide. In such situations the flocks of Brant are often of 
extraordinary size. 
Colonel Hawker states that these birds are always wild, except in very severe 
weather, and that their cautious instincts prompt them to leave their feeding-grounds 
as soon as the tide flows high enough to bear an enemy. To kill Brant by day it is 
necessary to get out of sight in a small punt at low water, and keep as near as pos- 
sible to the edge of the sea. The cry of a flock as it approaches is said to resemble 
that of a pack of hounds. When they come near to a boat, if the hunter springs up 
suddenly, the Brant in their fright hover together and present a fine mark. Other 
writers also speak of the resemblance of the notes of a flock of these birds to those 
of a pack of hounds in full cry. On the British coast these birds feed chiefly on the 
fronds of several algae, especially Ulva latissima. 
Yarrell states that the eggs brought home by the northern voyagers were of a 
uniform grayish white, measuring 2.75 inches in length by 1.75 in breadth. The 
birds kept in confinement in St. James’s Park and at the Zoological Gardens have 
never manifested any disposition to mate. In confinement they are exclusive and 
reserved, never consort with other birds, but hiss when they are approached, as do 
other geese ; and their cries are described as resembling the syllables ruck-ruck, 
r-r-ronk, r-r-ronk. 
Bernicla nigricans. 
THE BLACK BRANT. 
Anser nigricans, Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. IY. 1846, 171, plate. 
Bernicla nigricans, Cass. Illustr. B. Cal. Tex. etc. 1853, 52, pi. 10. — Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 767 ; 
Cat. 1ST. Am. B. 1859, no. 571. — Ridgw. Nom. 1ST. Am. B. 1882, no. 596. 
Branta nigricans, Bannist. Pv. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1870, 131. 
Branta bernicla, var. nigricans, Coues, Key, 1872, 284. 
Branta bernicla, b. nigricans, Coues, B. N. W. 1874, 557. 
Bernicla brenta nigricans, Coues, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, no. 701. 
Hab. Arctic and Western North America ; rare or casual in the Atlantic States. 
Sp. Char. Adult (No. 12787, Simiahmoo, Washington Territory ; Dr. Kennerly) : Head, 
neck, and jugulum uniform deep black ; middle of the neck with a conspicuous collar of pure 
