192 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
in Mr. Page's experience, he has killed in his decoy-pond a Brent Goose—probably
a "pensioner," or wounded bird.
Bean Goose : Anser segetum. Locally, " Grey Goose" (E.A.F.)
An uncommon winter visitor, most often seen during severe
weather.
Around Sudbury, King
described it (20) as " not un-
common " in 1838, meaning, of
course, in winter. Around
Saffron Walden (24), it used oc-
casionally to be seen in hard
winters (Clarke). Dr. Laver
describes it as killed occasion-
ally on the coast in both the
Colchester and Paglesham dis-
tricts. Dr Bree records two
(one of which weighed 7lbs.)
shot on the coast in Dec, 1871
(29. Dec. 23). Mr. Hope ob-
serves that it passes over in the
autumn and spring, going S.W.
and N.E.
Brent Goose : Bernicla brenta. Locally, " Black Goose."
The commonest and smallest species of Wild Goose frequenting
our coast, where it may be found, especially during hard weather,
from autumn to spring.
Although essentially a
marine species, indi-
viduals are sometimes
met with inland. There
appear to be two forms
of this species—a dark-
breasted one, which is the
commoner, from the
N.E., and a much rarer
light - bellied form from
the N.W.
Dale, who calls it the
" Rat " or " Road Goose," writing of Harwich in 1730, says (2. 403) : " These, no
doubt, are in winter to be found here, having divers times seen them in Braintree
Market, being caught on the Essex coast." Lindsey, writing from Harwich in
1851,' speaks of it (27. App. 59) as the "most numerous" of all the species of
Geese visiting that place. He adds, " It is a regular visitor to our shore, and
remains with us throughout the winter." It is still common there in hard winters.
(Kerry). King says (20) it was in 1838 "not uncommon" round Sudbury—of