Nelson on the Black Brant. 
*35 
and repeated with great rapidity, carrying the bird with a velocity 
far greater than that attained by any other Goose with which I am 
acquainted, though probably its eastern prototype equals it in this 
respect. 
But this is not the point upon which the mind rests when the 
birds are in view, for then the eye is held in involuntary admira- 
tion of the varied and graceful evolutions of the flocks which 
have a protean ability to change their form without ever breaking 
the array or causing confusion. They are very gregarious and 
two flocks almost invariably coalesce when they draw near each 
other. This frequently occurs until, as I have seen, it results in 
a single flock numbering between four hundred and five hundred 
birds. The usual size is considerably less, generally comprising 
from twenty to fifty or more, and it is rare to see less than ten or 
fifteen in a party. At times four or five individuals become de- 
tached and until they can unite with a stronger party they fly 
irregularly about as though bewildered, continually uttering their 
harsh notes, and hurry eagerly' away to join the first flock that 
comes in view. The order of flight is invariably a single rank, 
the birds moving side by side in a line at right angles to their 
course so that the entire strength of a flock is to be seen at a 
glance along its front, which, at times, covers several hundred 
yards. There is barely room enough between the individuals to 
allow a free wing-stroke. Thus ranged the flock seems governed 
by a single impulse, which sends it gliding along parallel and 
close to the ground, then, apparently without reason, careering 
thirty or forty yards overhead only to descend to its former level 
as suddenly as it was left ; now it sways to one side and then to 
the other, while at short intervals swift undulations seem to run 
from one end of the line to the other. These movements are re- 
peatedly taking place; they are extremely interesting to observe 
but difficult, I fear, to convey an adequate idea of in words. 
The entire flock, consisting of perhaps over a hundred birds 
arranged in single line, is hurrying on, straight as an arrow, 
toward its destination when, without warning, it suddenly makes 
a wide curving detour of several hundred yards, then resumes 
its original course only to frequently repeat the maneuvre, but 
always with such unison that the closest scrutiny fails to re- 
veal the least break or irregularity in the line ; nor does the front 
of the flock swerve, excepting an occasional slight obliquity 
which is corrected in a few seconds. 
