Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian AmericaCassin, John
Science
Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America
Cassin, John
Birds -- North America
We have had the pleasure of seeing the specimen described by Mr.
Lawrence, and entirely coincide with him in his conclusion. It is
precisely similar to others that have come under our notice, and all
presenting the same peculiar specific characters.
[Illustration: Plate 10
The Black Brant
Bernicla migricans (_Lawrence_)]
To the gunners of Philadelphia this bird is known by the same name, and
we have seen several specimens which have been shot in Delaware Bay, and
at various points on the sea-coast. Our friend Mr. John Krider,
Gunsmith, whose establishment is a favourite place of resort of the
Ornithologists and gunners of this city, and who is well acquainted with
American birds, and very successful in obtaining specimens of rare
species, has had several specimens of this Brant brought to him within
the last two or three years. It must, however, be considered as a
species of rather unusual occurrence on the Atlantic coast, but perhaps
not more so than the Snow Goose, and others which are well known. As is
the case with the birds just mentioned, it is probable, too, that the
migration of this Brant does not commonly reach so far southward as the
latitude of either of the large cities on the Atlantic.
Several species of Geese, which appear to be unknown to Naturalists,
have been noticed by travellers in various parts of North America, but
especially in the northern and Arctic regions. Of these we shall give an
account, somewhat in detail in a succeeding article; at present, we are
acquainted with one allusion only, which we think it not improbable has
reference to the species now before us. It is in Sir John Richardson’s
“Arctic Searching Expedition,” a journal of a Boat voyage through
Rupert’s land and the Arctic Sea, in search of the discovery ships under
command of Sir John Franklin, London, 1851, New York, 1852. In citing an
account of the valley of the Yukon river, in about lat. 66° north, long.
147° west, contained in a letter to him from Mr. Murray, a resident in
that country, the following statements occur (American edition, p. 305):
“White Geese (Snow Geese, _Chen hyperboreus_) are also passengers here;
and there are likewise _Black Geese_, which I presume you have never
seen. A few of them pass down Peel’s River, but they are more abundant
on the Yukon. They are very handsome birds, considerably smaller than
the White Geese, and have a dark brown or brownish black colour, with _a
white ring round the neck_, the head and bill having the shape of that
of the Bustard (the Canada Goose, _Anser Canadensis_). The Black Geese
are the least numerous, and the latest that arrive here. They fly in
large flocks with remarkable velocity, and generally pass on without
remaining as the others do, some days to feed. When they alight, it is
always in the water; and if they wish to land, they swim ashore. They
are very fat, and their flesh has an oily and rather disagreeable taste.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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