NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 85 



The Whistling Swan breeds in the Arctic regions on the small 

 lakes of the coast and islands of the Arctic Sea, nesting in June and 

 July. A few are said to breed in the interior of the Fur Countries. All 

 along the Yukon River, and especially near its mouth this species is 

 said to breed in the large marshes. Here the eggs are usually laid on 

 a tussock entirely surrounded by water, and so near it that the female 

 sometimes sits with her feet in the water. 



On the islands of Franklin Bay and on those of the Arctic Ocean, 

 the Whistling Swan constructs a large nest of moss, grass and herbage 

 of various kinds. 



The eggs are from two to five in number, and measure from 2.25 

 to 2.50 in breadth by 4.00 to 4.50 in length. They are of a dull white 

 with more or less brownish or reddish discoloration ; the surface of the 

 shell is rough. 



181. Olor buccinator (RICH.) [589.] 



Trumpeter Swan. 



Hab. Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf Coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from 

 Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic. 



During the breeding season the Trumpeter Swan is found almost 

 exclusively in the interior of the northern regions. A few breed in 

 Central and Northern Iowa and in Dakota; from thence northward. 

 Dr. Brewer states that the nests found by Mr. MacFarlane on the barrens 

 of the Arctic coast were usually placed on elevated ground, and they 

 were composed of hay, down and feathers intermingled. One nest con- 

 taining six eggs, was found near the beach on rising ground ; others 

 were observed near the banks of the Lower Anderson River. 



On the islands in the fresh water lakes and ponds bordering the 

 north branch of the Saskatchewan River, in British America, a few 

 pairs of the Trumpeter Swan are to be seen throughout the summer. 

 This species is also known to breed in Alaska. 



The full grown bird is five feet or more in length, and may be 

 distinguished from the Whistling Swan by its entirely black bill and 

 having normally twenty-four tail-feathers. 



The eggs range from two to six in number ; chalky-white with a 

 rough surface ; sizes from 4.03 to 4.50 long by 2.50 to 2.76 broad. 



182. Piioenicopterus ruber LINN. [585.] 



American Flamingo. 



Hab. Atlantic coasts of subtropical and tropical America; Florida Keys. 



This magnificent bird of scarlet plumage is a constant resident of 

 Cuba, the Bahamas and southward; rare at Cape Sable and on the 

 Florida Keys. It is a remarkable bird and of striking appearance, 



