68 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
uncommon. At Montauk it is known by the name of ‘ Mud 
Goose,’ and is frequently observed in company with the pre¬ 
ceding species, to which, in the general color of the plumage, it 
bears a strong resemblance. In size it is much smaller, though 
larger than the ‘ Brant,’ exceeding that species about three 
inches, and having the white patch on the sides of the head sim¬ 
ilar to the Canada Goose. 
“ On the south shore of Long Island it is not known to the 
gunners, though I have no doubt that it is frequently procured 
there, and from the close resemblance it bears in its general 
markings to the Canada Goose, is considered a variety of that 
species. At some seasons it has been known to be quite abun¬ 
dant on the coast of Massachusetts, in the vicinity of Boston, 
and it has been shot on the Chesapeake. 
“ Dr. Richardson states that it is well known at Hudson’s 
Bay, and that it is always found on the seacoast, feeding on 
marine plants, and the molusca which adhere to them, whence 
its flesh derives a strong fishy taste.”— Giraud’s Birds of Long 
Island. 
BRENT GOOSE. 
Brant, Anas Bernicla; Wils. Amer. Orn. Anser Bernicla, Brent 
Goose; Sw. fy Rich. Brant or Brent Goose ; Nutt. Mann. 
“ Specific Character. —Bill black; head and neck all round 
black; a patch on the sides of the neck white; upper parts 
brownish-gray—the feathers margined with light grayish-brown; 
quills and primary coverts grayish-black; fore part of breast, 
light brownish-gray, the feathers terminally margined with 
grayish-white; abdomen and lower tail coverts white ; sides 
gray, the feathers rather broadly tipped with white. Length 
two feet, wing fourteen inches and a half. Female rather 
smaller. 
“ The Brent Goose, or the ‘ Brant,’ as it is more familiarly 
called, makes its appearance among us about the fifteenth of 
