Goose barnacle migrate, it was thought that barnacle geese, "Branta leucopsis", developed from this crustacean, since they were never seen to nest in temperate Europe, hence the English names "goose barnacle", "barnacle goose" and the scientific name "Lepas anserifera" (, "goose"). The confusion was prompted by the similarities in colour and shape. Because they were often found on driftwood, it was assumed that the barnacles were attached to branches before they fell in the water. The archdeacon of Brecon, Gerald of Wales, made this claim in his "Topographia Hiberniae". Since barnacle geese were thought to be "neither flesh, nor born of flesh",
Cathy Branta Cathy Branta Cathy Easker (née Branta; born January 6, 1963) is a retired middle-distance and long distance runner from Slinger, Wisconsin, USA. After achieving Wisconsin state championship high school record times (for division 2 girls) in cross country in both 1979 and 1980, she competed in track and cross country for the Wisconsin Badgers. She won the gold medal at the 1985 Summer Universiade in Kobe, Japan in the women's 3,000 metres event. She set the collegiate record in the 5,000 meters in a time of 15:07. Cathy won the 1984 USA Cross Country Championships, qualifying her to the 1985