[So commonly spelt by Eng. authors since Pennant; Dr. Kay also (1570) had brend-gose. The form usual in 16th and 17th c., and still prevalent in U.S., is BRANT, which see.]
The smallest species of wild goose (Bernicla brenta), a winter visitant of the British coasts. Also, more fully Brent-goose (in 6 brend-gose).
1570. Caius, De var, animal., 18. Anser Brendinus … Vulgus … a coloris varietate a Brendgose nominat … Bernded seu brended id animal dicitur, quod in colore murino variegatum est albo, ut est hic anser.
1768. Pennant, Zool., II. 453. Mr. Willoughby, Mr. Ray, and M. Brisson very properly describe the Bernacle and Brent as different species.
1839. Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, I. vii. 190. Brent-geese … and golden-eyes, were very plentiful.
1848. C. A. Johns, Week at Lizard, 333. Brent (Anser torquatus).
1876. Davis, Polaris Exp., v. 113. Large flocks of brent-geese were seen.
1880. Baring-Gould, Mehalah, i. (1884), 3. The barking of the brent geese as they return from their northern breeding places is heard in November.
