THE BRANT. 
183 
frequently occur corresponding’ in their markings with 
that called the barnacle of Europe, that is, in having 
the upper parts lighter, and the front, cheeks, and 
chin whitish. These appear evidently a variety of the 
brant, probably young birds : what strengthens this last 
opinion is the fact, that none of them are found so 
marked on their return northward in the spring. 
The brant is expected at Egg Harbour, on the coast 
of New Jersey, about the 1st of October, and has been 
sometimes seen as early as the 20th of September. The 
first flocks generally remain in the bay a few days, and 
then pass on to the south. On recommencing their 
journey, they collect in one large body, and, making an 
extensive spiral course, some miles in diameter, rise to 
a great height in the air, and then steer for the sea, 
over which they uniformly travel ; often making wide 
circuits to avoid passing over a projecting point of land. 
In these aerial routes, they have been met with many 
leagues from shore, travelling the whole night. Their 
line of march very much resembles that of the Canada 
goose, with this exception, that frequently three or 
four are crowded together in the front, as if striving for 
precedency. Flocks continue to arrive from the north, 
and many remain in the bay till December, or until the 
weather becomes very severe, when these also move off 
southwardly. During their stay, they feed on the bars 
at low water, seldom or never in the marshes ; their 
principal food being a remarkably long and broad-leaved 
marine plant, of a bright green colour, which adheres 
to stones, and is called, by the country people, sea 
cabbage ; the leaves of this are sometimes eight or ten 
inches broad, by two or three feet in length : they also 
eat small shell-fish. They never dive, but wade about, 
feeding at low water. Daring the time of high water, 
they float in the bay in long lines, particularly in calm 
weather. Their voice is hoarse and honking, and, when 
some hundreds are screaming together, reminds one of 
a pack of hounds in full cry. They often quarrel among 
themselves, and with the ducks, driving the latter off 
their feeding ground. Though it never dives in search 
