brant

[prettygoodword]

brant - n., any of several species of small, dark-colored geese of the genus Branta.


Breeds in the arctic and migrates south for winter. I'm assuming, but cannot yet confirm, that the name means "burnt."

---L.

Comments

[toad-hall.livejournal.com]

several sources say that it is latin via anglo-saxon brennan or bernan (to burn).

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Ah! Thanks.

---L.

[toad-hall.livejournal.com]

np.
I found it interesting as apparently in the UK, some still refer to them as "Brents" which makes more sense now.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

No doubt this is the same line of thinking that gave us "sooty gulls"

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

And Toasted Njals.

---L.