WILD FOWL. 
69 
is not unusual for it to attempt escape by diving. As it seldom 
passes thirty or forty yards under water, it is generally secured. 
With the lovers of water-fowl the Brant is highly esteemed. 
Even the adult birds are tender and juicy, and free from a fishy 
flavor, but at times, from the nature of its food, its flesh acquires 
a sedgy taste. It is considered superior for the table late in 
the spring. The epicure well knows the merits of the * May 
Brant.’ 
“ In the plumage, there are no markings by which the sex 
can be distinguished. Many undertake to determine it by the 
white markings on the sides of the neck, supposing that charac¬ 
ter to be more fully developed on the neck of the male; but this 
cannot be depended upon. I have frequently selected them 
by this supposed distinction, and on dissection the male and 
female organs have appeared without reference to such char¬ 
acter. 
“ Their unwillingness to give up their wandering habits, 
makes it difficult to domesticate them. I have frequently tried 
it with young birds, having taken the precaution to cut off a 
joint from one of their wings, thus rendering them incapable of 
flying; still they would wander to the creeks that lead to the 
bay, and doubtless have fallen easy game to some passing 
sportsman. With a good deal of attention, particularly when 
associated with Canada Geese that have been domesticated, its 
native propensities are more easily subdued; but in the domes¬ 
tic state they have never been known to breed. 
“ The average weight of the Brent is four pounds. The adult 
can be distinguished to a certainty from the young, by its 
zings—which are entirely black, while those of the latter are 
roadly tipped with white. As soon as the ice begins to form 
n our bays, it retires southward. Returning in April, it con- 
inues its visit until late in May, when they assemble at the 
great nursery’ at the North.”— Giraud’s Birds of Long Island. 
“ The Brent, or as it is usually written, Brant, is a bird well 
known on both continents, and celebrated in former times. 
