B R E N T G O O S E .
BERNICLA BRBNTJ.
To nil parts of our southern anil eastern coasts, where the shores are flat, the Brent Goose is a
regular winter visitor; the numbers, however, that put in an appearance vary considerably. On the loehs
and open sands of the Western Highlands I have met with a few of these birds, hut never having
followed them for sport in that quarter of Great Britain, can state little concerning their habits in such
localities.
When living on the east coast of lloss-shire, I remarked that the Geese might usually be looked for
towards the cud of September, largo numbers arriving during the first and second weeks in October. On
the Dornoch and Cromarty Tilths they would remain for a time till forced by continued persecution
or the severity of the weather to work further south. If any faith can be put in the stories of the natives,
they collected formerly in thousands on the Cromarty Firth in the neighbourhood of Invergorden. The
increase in the numbers of shooters has, huwever, of late years rendered these favourite resorts unsafe, I
the majority now pass south without halting for any length of time about their old quarters. I notice that
one or two writers profess to doubt the statements of the old fowlers as to the numbers of Geese gathering in
these parts; judging, however, from the immense flocks (acres of sandy muds and water at time* being
densely packed by birds) that came under my own observation eighteen or twenty years ago, there
appears no reasonable cause for disbelief. "While on their way towards the far north, Geese airain
make a descent in this locality as spring approaches, slragglers often remaining till late in April. On
one occasion, in the middle of May 1 Still, I noticed at least twenty or thirty birds sunning themselves on a
mud-hank in the Cromarty Firth between Foiilis and Alness. The date at which Brent Geese may be looked
for on the Norfolk muds and the Hats oil' the south-eastern counties depend" greatly on the weather.
Along the coasts of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, the bays, harbours, and estuaries are still visited
in hard winters by large though gradually decreasing numbers. A short conversation with any of the
antiquated native gunners would speedily convince the inquirer that in the opinion of these worthies the
good old times have passed, never to return. So lately as 1S7S and 1S70, I have, however, watched the
Black Geese (as Brents are known in this part) making their way along the Hussox coast to the weal of
Shorcham in bodies of two or three hundred, one Hock following another in rapid succession for several
hours. On the hreakiug-up of the frost the birds may again be seen from the shore as they wing their
course towards the east. The experience of the past winter and the constant persecution to which they
have been exposed have now rendered the survivors almost unapproachable, and it is seldom they offer
chances to the persevering gunners.
Occasionally after protracted gales the unfortunate birds are thoroughly worn out. Early in ]S7<(,
while out in the Channel off Shorcham, I fell in with about a couple of hundred sleeping quietly on the
water, utterly regardless of danger. The dull light of a dreary winter's day was fast closing in, and though