BRENT GOOSE. 
205 
sooner found itself loose than it began to exult most loudly in its liberty, 
and my mother, who was awakened by the singular and unusual noise, rose 
and lifted the blind, just as it took wing for the water, where doubtless it 
soon rejoined its former companions. The time it was in our possession 
was too short to admit of many observations being made on its habits. We 
remarked, however, that it was by no means deficient in courage. When 
approached, it would lower its head, writhe' its glossy serpent-like neck, and, 
with open mouth, protruded tongue, and eyes flashing with rage, prepare to 
defend itself, emitting at the same time a strong hissing sound. This was 
the only noise which it made while in our possession, and until the morning 
of its departure it was never heard to use the hoarse call of the species.” 
Brant, Anas Berniila, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 131. 
Anser Bernxcla, Bonap. Syn., p. 3*78. 
Anser Bernicla, Brent Goose , Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 469. 
Brant or Brent Goose, Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 358. 
Brent Goose, Anser Bernicla , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. pp. 24, 610. 
Male, 244, 48. Female, 23, 44§. 
Abundant along the coast of the Atlantic, from Maine to Maryland, 
during winter. Never seen far inland. Breeds from Labrador northward. 
Columbia river. 
Adult Male. 
Bill much shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base, somewhat 
conical, slightly depressed toward the end, narrowed and rounded at the tip. 
Upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping, the ridge a little flattened at 
the base, convex toward the end, the sides sloping, the edges soft, the oblique 
marginal lamellae short, transverse, about 25 on each side, the unguis round, 
convex, striato-denticulate on the inner edge. Nasal groove elliptical., 
commencing at the base, and extending to beyond the middle of the bill ; 
nostrils lateral, medial, longitudinal, narrow-elliptical, open, pervious. Lower 
mandible straight, depressed, with the angle very long, rather wide, some- 
what rounded, the sides sloping outwards, the edges soft, with about forty 
lamellae. 
Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck rather long and slender. Body 
full, slightly depressed. Feet short, stout, placed a little behind the centre 
of the body ; legs bare a little above the tibio-tarsal joint. Tarsus short, 
compressed, covered all round with angular reticulated scales, which are 
smaller behind. Hind toe extremely small, with a very narrow membrane ; 
third toe longest, fourth a little shorter, but longer than the second ; all the 
toes reticulated above at the base, but with narrow transverse scutella 
towards the end ; the three anterior connected by a reticulated membrane ; 
